DETROIT — Startled by enthusiastic consumer demand for ePower in Japan last year, Nissan Motor Co. now plans to introduce the electric motor-powered technology to its vehicles in the U.S.
But unlike its Japanese application in the humble subcompact Note, Nissan will more likely use ePower here as an option on higher-end vehicles, said Philippe Klein, the automaker's chief planning officer, speaking to Automotive News on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show last week.
Klein did not say which Nissan brand products might receive ePower but suggested it will begin with higher-priced nameplates that can absorb the added cost of the powertrain.
Meanwhile, Klein's boss, Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa, told the Automotive News World Congress last week that Infiniti will begin offering ePower in the near future. Saikawa said ePower will play a key role in Infiniti's move to almost completely electrify its lineup starting in 2021.