Nissan to develop new powertrains, may cut cost of hybrid cars by 30%

Nissan Motor Co. is developing new modular powertrains that will help streamline production and drive manufacturing costs for hybrid cars down by as much as 30%.

By enhancing the common parts that underpin a vehicle, the Yokohama-based automaker expects to be able to lower the cost of its hybrid cars to the same level as gasoline-powered cars by 2026, Senior Vice President Toshihiro Hirai said at a briefing Tuesday.

Nissan unveiled blueprints for two new powertrains — one for its so-called E-power hybrids and another for its zero-emission vehicles. Both use similar technology that will help consolidate and localize production, points Nissan touched on late last month when it outlined its accelerated electrification strategy.