INNOVATION FOR ALL - AUTOLINE THIS WEEK 1618

EV Channels Review

This episode of Autoline This Week features Carla Bailo, Senior VP of R&D for Nissan Americas, discussing the company's strategic R&D initiatives and its approach to the evolving automotive landscape. The conversation highlights Nissan's commitment to localizing development and production, particularly in response to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the strong Yen. Bailo emphasizes the cost advantages of R&D operations in the Americas, leveraging facilities in the US, Mexico, and Brazil. The discussion touches upon the development of various models, including the Altima and the new taxi, as well as future technologies like EVs and fuel cells. A significant portion is dedicated to the challenges and progress in increasing the number of female engineers within Nissan and the broader Japanese automotive industry, addressing cultural barriers and work-life balance issues. The interview also briefly covers the successful Nissan-Renault partnership and the company's rapid crisis response capabilities.