Nissan has announced a new range of forklifts that use lithium ion batteries provided by Nissan and NEC's joint venture AESC. These batteries were first seen powering the Mixim and the Pivo 2 concepts during the Frankfurt Motor Show. Does this move of the batteries to actual production vehicles mean that we'll get us a Nissan EV as expected? Nissan states that this is part of its Nissan GT 2012 strategy to produce an EV for the U. S. in 2010 and 2012 in the rest of the world. The new forklift models were introduced during Hannover's Logistics Fair and will be on sale in 2009, if development is ready. The first units for the European market will be probably built at Nissan's plant in Navarra, Spain.

[Source: Nissan]

This is the fourth AutoblogGreen video round up and we've got three more videos from the Frankfurt Motor Show. The above video takes a look at the Opel Flextreme with program manager Frank Weber. Frank says the production version of the car will have the lowest rolling resistance tires ever (they do look very smooth). These types of tires improve fuel efficiency but some think they are not very safe. The above video also includes a look at the Nissan Mixim and asks why they say it's 99 percent evil, 1 percent cute. Below the fold is a video of the Mini Clubman. The video of the Clubman includes a demonstration of the stop and go fuel saving technology. Also below the fold is the Ford Verve concept which may be the next Ford Fiesta.

[Source: YouTube]

These Frankfurt Motor Show vehicles no longer need an introduction. We've been covering them to the hilt and, if you missed what any of them are, you can see last night's wrap-up for more information. What this post is meant to do is provide you with some shiny, high-resolution images to see the concepts for yourself. Consider it our version of a free ticket to the show. We'll keep posting on more details from the IAA today; for now, enjoy the images. My favorite is the mule in the shot of the Volvo ReCharge.



[Source: Newspress]

Welcome to the second edition of the video round up. Three more videos of concept cars fresh from the Frankfurt Auto Show floor. The video above is BMW's X6 ActiveHybrid concept. BMW thinks it will be more efficient to use two electric motors. Below the fold is video of the interior of the Nissan Mixim concept. Also below the fold is a video of Volkswagen's up! concept exterior design.

[Source: Google Video, Youtube]

Nissan's EV concept, the Mixim, has a YouTube page. There is one video but there is very little information in it, unless the news is that Nissan is developing technology to change your environment into a big video game. There is one interesting thing, though: it seems Nissan thinks you would rather have web videos and DVDs instead of a speed indicator just behind your steering wheel. I don't know the lyrics to the song but I think it's "shake it, shake it." I am not sure what the text "1 percent cute, 99 percent evil" means either. Perhaps we'll find out more when the Mixim bows in at the Frankfurt Auto Show September 13.

Related:

• Nissan to unveil an electric prototype in Frankfurt

[Source: YouTube]

Nissan has announced a concept EV, called Mixim, for the Frankfurt Motor Show. The vehicle has four-wheel drive because two sets of motors (called supermotors) are placed on each axis. The batteries are Li-Ion. No information about performance is given in the press release, although they're called "fast" and "endurant".

Among the design ideas of the EV, one of the most remarkable is the driving position right in the middle of the car, leaving two recessed passenger seats at each side of the driver, a fourth folded right behind. The controls are said to be inspired by video game pads. It's shorter and lower than a current Micra (3.7 m - 12 ft 3 in- long and 1.8 m -6 ft- high).

Because this is a concept, Nissan states clearly that no mass production is guaranteed, although the car has been developed along the principles of the Nissan Green Program.

Other products Nissan is offering in the greenest spectre of their model line (albeit for size) are a new paint on the Micra C+C and the refreshed Micra (with new interiors, stereo with MP3 input and a speed limiting chime).

[Source: Nissa, h/t to Domenick]