NISSAN MOTOR CO. $17.11 - Nasdaq symbol NSANY

NISSAN MOTOR CO. (ADR) $17.11 (Nasdaq symbol NSANY; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average) (310-771-3111; www.nissanmotors.com; Shares outstanding: 2.3 billion; Market cap: $39.4 billion; No dividends paid) has won a big contract with New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission to replace over 13,000 of the city’s taxi cabs that are nearing the end of their useful lives. Nissan beat out Ford (symbol F on New York) for the contract.

The vote went 5 to 2 for Nissan to supply its NV200 “Taxi of Tomorrow” sedan. The commission will put the new fleet into service beginning in October 2013. The cars will last for over a decade.

Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the NV200s have much lower carbon emissions and better fuel efficiency than the cars they are replacing.

The new taxis, which will have enough room for four passengers and their luggage, will also include new features like sliding doors, transparent roof panels, independently controlled air conditioning in the back seats and charging stations for mobile devices, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports.

Nissan Motor is still a buy.

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