From freep.com

WASHINGTON - Nissan Motor Co. will offer a diesel version of its Maxima sedan in 2010, powered by a Renault-designed engine, Renault-Nissan Chief Execuitve Carlos Ghosn said Wednesday.

In a speech in Washington, Ghosn said the move was based in part on his belief that fuel economy and emissions rules would continue to toughen around the world, while fuel prices rise as well. Ghosn said the Maxima diesel will get roughly 30% better fuel economy than the gasoline version, but at a cost similar to that of a hybrid model.

“We are very confident about the potential benefits,” Ghosn said, adding that “the big question is how much consumers will be willing to pay for new technology.”

All major automakers have some research underway in expanding their diesel engine lineup, as diesel models have become the majority of vehicles sold in Europe.

In addition to Nissan, Honda has said it will sell an unspecified diesel model in the United States in 2009. Hyundai’s U.S. chief operating officer said earlier this month that he wanted to bring diesel models to the United States as well.

Nissan sells a hybrid version of its Altima sedan in several states, but the company has been sanguine about the technology in the past, saying it may not be cost-effective. Ghosn said Nissan and Renault were each working on different future power sources, such as fuel cells and electric vehicles.

“We have to develop every technology,” Ghosn said. “When a clear market trend emerges, we’ll be ready to offer the market what it wants.”