Nissan begins checking radiation level on Japan-sourced parts in Taiwan

Wednesday, Mar 30th, 2011 @ 10:47 a.m.

Nissan says that its Taiwanese assembly affiliate will begin checking parts produced in Japan for radiation levels as concern continues to mount over the nuclear reactor in Northern Japan.

Yulon Nissan says that it will begin checking parts on April 1, when its first shipment is scheduled to arrive from Japan. Parts will be checked in three stages – before they are shipped to Taiwan, at the port of entry and after the parts are assembled on vehicles.

The affiliate also says that its cars will have a “radiation check OK” sticker mounted to the lower right corner of the windshield after they are built in an effort to soothe concerned consumers.

Yulon Nissan builds a wide variety of Nissan products under contract in Taiwan, where it operates as an official Nissan affiliate.

Nissan, through its Yulon Nissan affiliate, has a hefty 12 percent share of the Taiwanese market. Taiwan, with its three nuclear power plants and its susceptibility to earthquakes, is especially concerned about the risk of radiation. A Japanese restaurant in Taiwan has gone so far as offering patrons a radiation monitor to check their food before they begin eating, while Taiwanese fishing boats have been ordered away from Japanese waters.

References
1.’Nissan Taiwan unit…’ view

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Suzuki to take Kizashi to “next level” at NY show

Friday, Mar 25th, 2011 @ 12:02 p.m.

Suzuki’s United States sales have been on the decline over the last four years, but that doesn’t mean the Japanese automaker is just giving up. Suzuki has announced it is planning two global reveals for the fast-approaching New York Auto Show.

At least one of those world debuts will involve the automaker’s mid-size Kizashi. No details were given, but Suzuki says the new model will take the “Kizashi to the next level.”

Despite that bold claim, we’re taking the announcement with a grain of salt. Suzuki promised a similar model for the 2010 NY show and all we got was the Kizashi Sport. Although the Kizashi Sport featured a lowered suspension, unique body kit and 18-inch wheels, it left us wanting on the performance front.

However, it remains possible that Suzuki could be planning to launch a turbocharged version of the Kizashi. We sampled a prototype of the turbo Kizash last spring and found it to be a phenomenal vehicle. Unfortunately, our insiders tell us that a Kizashi turbo would be a dealer-install option like Toyota’s TRD program rather than a factory-backed car like the Hyundai Sonata Turbo.

No word on what Suzuki’s second reveal might be, but we don’t have to wait long as the start of the New York show is now less than a month away.

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