Qashqai Enhances Efficiency and Performance With All-New Upgrades, Paving A Greener Way For Nissan?

Recently, it reported that Nissan's all-new Qashqai would be the company's first vehicle made entirely of lightweight aluminium panels in Europe.

The body of the Qashqai - hood, doors and front fenders will be stamped from aluminium alloy, which allows the vehicle to weigh 60 kilograms lighter than before. Additionally, efficiency is also improved, resulting in reduced carbon emissions, and more technology can be catered to, such as the vehicle’s electrified powertrain.

Launched last year, the second extra-large press line is included in the aluminium production at Nissan’s Sunderland plant alongside the cyclone. This recycling facility can blast out scrap metal at 150km/h and handle more than seven tons of metal per hour. This results in ensuring minimal waste with a greener production process. 

From the stamped hoods and doors, scrap materials are shredded and extracted to ensure the aluminium grades are separated, allowing Nissan to return high-quality scrap to suppliers to become aluminium alloy sheets again.

Waste and CO2 emissions are reduced by this "closed-loop" recycling technology, which also helps Nissan meet its aim of becoming carbon neutral across its operations and product life cycle by 2050.

It is noted that more than 90 percent of energy is saved from recycling scrap aluminium rather than creating the same amount of new materials. 

"We continue to look for ways to make both our vehicles and our manufacturing process more sustainable. The use of lightweight aluminium in the new Qashqai is a great example," said Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK vice president manufacturing Alan Johnson.

Following the Rogue sold in North America, the new Qashqai is the second global model to feature parts derived from the closed-loop recycling process. It is reported that Nissan is expanding the application of the process to more factories and models. 

"We continue to improve the efficiency and sustainability of our manufacturing operations, and Sunderland will play a key role in meeting the company's commitment to carbon neutrality," said Johnson.

As part of the Nissan Green Program 2022, the brand aims to replace 30 percent of its raw materials for future models in the upcoming year with materials that aren’t reliant on newly mined resources. To do so, the company will utilize recycled materials and create biomaterials and conduct recycling efforts at suppliers and within the company. It will also try to lower the mass of car bodies.

With Nissan continuing to promote efficient and sustainable use of resources, it is seen as a stepping stone in achieving its goal and carving the pathway for other brands to do the same. 

What are your thoughts on the all-new Nissan Qashqai? Will Nissan’s efforts towards a greener vehicle portfolio attract other brands to do the same? Let us know your thoughts down below!