Nissan considering hybrid battery venture

Nissan is "mulling" a partnership with NEC Corp. to develop lithium-ion batteries for hybrid cars and other fuel efficient technologies. "Business daily Nihon Keizai reported on Thursday that Nissan and NEC would set up a joint company next year, aiming to begin mass production of the batteries by 2010." (more)

While Nissan will offer the Altima hybrid in 2007 - its first hybrid - the hybrid Altima will be produced from leased Toyota technology. By 2010, however, Nissan hopes to offer its own hybrid vehicles based on proprietary technology, and a new line of batteries.