Nissan Announces Partnerships With Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and Design Trust for Public Space

NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nissan Americas, the exclusive provider of New York City's Taxi of Tomorrow, today announced it has established partnerships with Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution and the Design Trust for Public Space.

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Nissan's announcement coincides with National Design Week, Cooper-Hewitt's educational program aimed at drawing national attention to the ways in which design enriches everyday life. Nissan's relationship with Cooper-Hewitt includes in-kind contributions related to National Design Week events in New York City as well as other upcoming museum outreach activities.

Nissan also has made a cash contribution to the Design Trust for Public Space, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public space in New York City, for support of that organization's involvement in the Taxi of Tomorrow Advisory Panel through 2012. Additionally, Nissan is exploring opportunities for further collaboration with the Design Trust on its 2012 programming.

Both Cooper-Hewitt and Design Trust will continue to play key roles in New York's Taxi of Tomorrow project, which began in 2007 as an initiative to establish the vision for a next-generation New York City taxicab. Following a rigorous selection process, Nissan's NV200 Taxi was selected in May 2011 as New York City's exclusive Taxi of Tomorrow beginning in late 2013. Representatives from Cooper-Hewitt and Design Trust have previewed the NV200 Taxi's design, and both organizations will have a presence at upcoming events related to Taxi of Tomorrow, including the first public preview of the vehicle's custom-designed interior which will be announced later this month.

"From the time Nissan first became involved with Taxi of Tomorrow, we've approached it as a collaboration rather than just another fleet deal," said Joe Castelli, vice president, Light Commercial Vehicles for Nissan Americas. "Cooper-Hewitt and Design Trust have been important forces behind Taxi of Tomorrow since the program's inception, and their ongoing involvement will help ensure the Nissan NV200 Taxi honors the New York taxi's iconic heritage while ushering in a new era of functionality and sustainability. These partnerships also recognize the contributions that Cooper-Hewitt and Design Trust make to the overall quality of life in New York City."

Expanding Nissan's philanthropic presence in New York City

Today's announcement expands Nissan's philanthropic reach in New York City. Through the Nissan Foundation, the company funds educational programming at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Jewish Children's Museum, Marquis Studios Ltd., and New York University's Glucksman Ireland House.

"Nissan employs more than 11,000 people at its facilities across the U.S., which include manufacturing plants in Smyrna and Decherd, Tenn., and Canton, Miss., as well as design, engineering, sales, administrative and parts distribution locations in seven states across the country," said Castelli. "Our highest-volume sales office is located in the New York metropolitan area, and Nissan's local philanthropic activities – including contributions made by the Nissan Foundation – demonstrate our dedication to the people who live and work here."

About Taxi of Tomorrow

In 2007, City officials convened a group of stakeholders, including representatives of taxi drivers, owners and passengers, to create a set of goals for the next New York City taxi cab, a project called the Taxi of Tomorrow. Taxi of Tomorrow was the result of a groundbreaking effort by the Design Trust for Public Space and the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission to re-imagine the entire taxi system – including the vehicle – for the 21st century. In December 2009, the TLC issued a "request for proposals," inviting auto manufacturers and designers to submit their best ideas for a purpose-built vehicle to serve as a New York City taxicab. At the end of the evaluation, the Nissan NV200 was selected and will be the next New York City taxicab for ten years, beginning in 2013.

About Nissan Americas

In the Americas, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and was recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 and 2011. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.1 million vehicles in 2010, generating revenue of 8.77 trillion yen ($102.37 billion U.S.). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award and 2011 World Car of the Year.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

SOURCE Nissan Americas