Nissan’s hybrid will initially only be sold in California and the seven Northeastern states that have adopted California emissions regulations.

 

You can also go to Nissan's website and on the hybrid page it tells you what states it will be available in.

 

Also - keep in mind there are rumors that the Nissan Hybrid will have poor support behind it - they are borrowing/licensing the HSD technology from Toyota and are selling the vehicle at a 20-24% loss.

The NYTimes said it will have much better style appeal than the TCH. I do have to admit I'm slightly interested/jealous

 

Since it will have the full tax credit, they will sell every one of them.

 

I doubt you'll be jealous when you see how Nissan supports them. Their president has basically said he does not believe in hybrids. They're selling them because they feel they MUST to satisfy California and a few other states. What is their plan for training mechanics? Toyota has sold so many hybrids, I have to believe that most dealers will be able to maintain them and that this will be true for years to come. Nissan? If the top management doesn't believe in hybrids, what chance will you have to get repairs once the warranty expires? None for me, thanks.

 

Whatever the reasons for not having the off switch, Toyota has solved the problem because it offers such a switch on the 2011 Camry Hybrid US model -- but not the 2011 Canadian model. http://www.toyota.com/camry/features.html

What I asked of the Toyota Canada rep is to install the same switch offered on its 2011 US Camry Hybrid models in my 2008 Camry Hybrid, she refused and suggested I follow the owner's manuel. The manuel offers no solutions.

The switch probably sends the same signal to the car's computer in one step as what the 9 step process sends.

 

Just adding the switch might have neutral results..If the firmware is not watching/polling the switch contacts.

 

When you flip that switch, TC off, you're likely relieving the manufacturer of some really serious liability in the case of a subsequent crash. Canadian law may not allow this safety feature to be switched off.

 

According to the Transport Canada rep I spoke to, a regulation to make trac on control and vehicle stablity systems mandatory is in the policy formulation stage at this moment. The Transport Canada rep said he would supply my info on the problems of not having a switch to the Transport Canada people developing the new regulations.
Thus, for now, the Government of Canada safety regulations do not apply.

 

But just the same the canadian weather vs US, in general does make TC a more neccessary SAFETY feature.