Nissan Expands Partnership With Habitat for Humanity International

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Nissan Americas announced a significant expansion of its longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity International with a $2.5 million donation.  Nissan's vision is to invite all its stakeholders to participate in the partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Point-of-sale materials in dealerships and communications to consumers will convey information about Habitat activities. Consumers who visit the Nissanusa.com website can click through to Habitat's site to make a donation or find volunteer opportunities across the country.

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"Our relationship with Habitat will lead to new opportunities for Nissan owners and our dealer partners to get involved in future Habitat builds," said Bill Krueger, vice chairman, Nissan Americas. "Both Nissan and Habitat are committed to sustainability, so it's fitting that our dollars will also support sustainable construction practices in Habitat affiliates nationwide. Nissan cares about the environment and about giving back to the communities where our customers, dealers and employees live and work. Collaborating with Habitat allows us to carry out these priorities in a tangible, meaningful way."

Nissan is funding grants and providing Nissan vehicles to 10 Habitat affiliates that make commitments to sustainable construction practices. Habitat will use a portion of Nissan's donation to conduct sustainability "summits" for affiliates and their local communities. Nissan funding will also support the annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Haiti in November 2011.

"Nissan's financial support enables us to help more families improve their living conditions in ways they can afford," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, "We are extremely grateful to have a partner like Nissan that shares our commitment to building sustainable communities. This is an exciting opportunity for our affiliates and for our recovery work in Haiti."

Throughout this partnership Nissan and Habitat for Humanity will share a common goal: to build affordable, sustainable homes in partnership with families in need of decent housing. Nissan-sponsored Habitat homes will be equipped with many "green living" features, including low-flowing plumbing fixtures, programmable thermostats, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, high-performance windows and ENERGY STAR® appliances. These eco-friendly amenities align with Nissan's Green Program, which supports efforts to reduce the company's impact on the environment.

Nissan's partnership with Habitat dates to 2005, following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Nissan donated 50 Nissan Titan trucks to assist Habitat's response efforts in the Gulf Coast and mobilized employees to assist in home building. Since 2006, Nissan employees have helped to build more than 30 homes across the United States. Outside the U.S., Nissan's funding supported the construction of 15 homes in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010.  To date, Nissan employees have logged more than 56,000 volunteer hours building homes with Habitat for Humanity.

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 Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles 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 World Car of the Year award. For more information on Nissan's products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit Habitat.org, follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat's blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.

SOURCE Nissan Americas