DENVER, Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nissan is joining the Black Friday shopping rush, offering comfort, shelter and assistance to crowds on the hunt for Christmas shopping deals. Using a pair of brand-new 2013 Nissan Altima sedans and a Nissan Quest minivan, the company will provide shoppers with warm refuge as they brave long lines at the Colorado Mills outlet mall in Golden, Col., beginning on Thanksgiving evening.  

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121121/DE17511LOGO )

While consumers experience one of Nissan's newest, innovative vehicles, a member of the company's on-the-ground street team will hold their place in line. Hot beverages, hand warmers and blankets will also be offered to other shoppers seeking this year's most coveted gifts.

On Friday, Nissan will also greet shoppers between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with complimentary shuttle rides in the Altima sedans or the Quest to help shoppers haul their purchases from the doors of various stores at Colorado Mills to their cars.

Jon Brancheau, vice president, marketing, Nissan North America, Inc., said: "Both the Altima and Quest are equipped with segment-leading innovations, heated seats and plenty of cargo room - making them the perfect match to assist fatigued shoppers. Improving the shopping experience for Denver consumers on Black Friday is a great opportunity to expose people to Nissan's innovative products first-hand."

The day after Thanksgiving is still favored among the majority of U.S. consumers with 53 percent planning to shop this Black Friday, an estimate that reverses a three-year trend of declining interest according to Accenture's 2012 US Holiday Shopping Survey. Similarly, the National Retail Federation is expecting 2012 holiday sales to rise 4.1 percent compared to 2011, having the potential to make this the strongest holiday shopping year since 2007.

Sheltering Shoppers in Style
Nissan's most innovative Altima ever features several Nissan signature technology and convenience features, including:

• Easy Fill Tire Alert system - Alerts a driver to low tire pressure and the tire or tires that require attention. When drivers stop to fill the tire with air, the vehicle's four-way flashers come on to confirm that the process has started. Once the tire hits the appropriate pressure level, the horn then chirps to let drivers know the tire has been properly inflated. 
• Smart Auto Headlights - Unique to Nissan, this system automatically turns the vehicle's headlights on after four swipes of the windshield wipers. With 30 states currently requiring that drivers turn on their headlights in the event of rain and other inclement weather, this features helps to keep drivers safe during holiday driving in markets where weather can be poor this time of year.
• Next-Generation RearView Camera – This innovative camera is equipped with a wide-angle lens to see more and sophisticated software to accomplish more advanced functions, allowing Nissan to bring Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Moving Object Detection (MOD), and Blind Spot Warning (BSW) to the mid-sized sedan segment without the need for additional sensors and cameras.

These features — typically found only on luxury models — are available on Nissan's best-selling sedan, which offers a starting MSRP price of $21,700. Altima also boasts best-in-segment fuel economy of 38 mpg highway* and a 5-star overall vehicle safety rating as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Shoppers will also be able to relax in the back of the boldly-styled 2013 Nissan Quest minivan. With one-touch power sliding doors, quick-release fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats, Advanced Climate Control System, Easy Fill Tire Alert and an always-available rear storage well, Quest provides the innovation to help make the impossible possible on a daily basis. Quest pricing starts at $25,990.

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 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). 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 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

About Nissan North America
In North America, 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 has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

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

*Fuel economy comparison against internal combustion gasoline engine-equipped mid-size sedans. Excludes hybrid and diesel models.

SOURCE Nissan North America