Roush Industies study

[rogersleaf]

Just wondering is anyone else received such a letter. Last week, I received a letter from Roush Industries representing Nissan's Technical Center regarding a battery range and performance test. Basically, Nissan wants to borrow my '19 LEAF for 2-3 weeks for some testing. From what I can gather it would be taken to Michigan for this testing and returned afterwards. If I agree to participate they offered nominal compensation ($200) and a replacement rental car while it's gone. Thought this proposition was intriguing at a minimum.

 

[Toby]

Why wouldn't Roush simply get one from a dealer's lot? Never having heard of Roush my fraud suspicions went up. I had to look it up. Apparently there is a Roush Industry. Still, I'd be pretty wary of letting some stranger borrow my car.

 

[cwerdna]

Not unheard of. See https://www.roush.com/what-we-do/testing-and-development/emissions-testing/.

I found https://www.fordstnation.com/threads/roush-wants-to-borrow-my-car.8302/#post-108921, for example. I've heard of this elsewhere before.

Google for borrow car for testing roush.

 

[GerryAZ]

I have not yet received such a letter. I would be inclined to allow it only if I could witness the testing. I once received an inquiry about a Jeep which was not a common model. The firm (don't remember the name) wanted to take it to a facility and make a bunch of measurements of suspension components, ground clearance, bumper height, etc. to use for accident investigation. They offered modest compensation, but I was not willing to let them take it due to my concerns about fraud. I offered to let them make measurements as long as I could drive it to the facility and witness their work. They declined my offer so I concluded that they were not really in need of the vehicle or not legitimate.

 

[cwerdna]

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/light-duty-in-use-compliance-programs does relate, albeit indirectly to BEVs.

One can also Google for roush nissan test. Example hits like these:
https://www.fordforums.com/threads/letter-from-roush-industries.201594/#post-1435266
https://forums.nicoclub.com/anyone-else-get-this-in-the-mail-today-roush-industries-inc-t376506.html

I also found https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/emissions-performance-study.374945/.

I found these from 2009:
https://web.archive.org/web/20091226125916/http://www.roush.com/Our_Capabilities/Testing_and_Development/Over_the_Road_Vehicle_Testing.aspx
https://web.archive.org/web/20091211171437/http://www.roush.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20091214150822/http://www.roush.com/Our_Capabilities/Testing_and_Development.aspx

Seems like someone else had their domain in 2008.

I'd suggest contacting Nissan North America to figure out of this is legit, if you wish to participate.

 

[rogersleaf]

I have not yet received such a letter. I would be inclined to allow it only if I could witness the testing. I once received an inquiry about a Jeep which was not a common model. The firm (don't remember the name) wanted to take it to a facility and make a bunch of measurements of suspension components, ground clearance, bumper height, etc. to use for accident investigation. They offered modest compensation, but I was not willing to let them take it due to my concerns about fraud. I offered to let them make measurements as long as I could drive it to the facility and witness their work. They declined my offer so I concluded that they were not really in need of the vehicle or not legitimate.

I can totally agree and was having the same thoughts about wanting to witness testing. One of several concerns is that for 4 1/2 years I've been careful to not heat-stress this battery. It's never left unused on a full charge and a rare event when DCFC is used (and never on a hot battery). Granted this is no longer a new car but the battery is only mildly degraded and appears to be performing well. It's also quickly approaching the end of the EPA mandated battery warranty (on mileage, not age). The reality is their token compensation would never mitigate the expense should they heat or load-stress this battery in a way that accelerates degradation. I did register on their website to participate, but have a short-list of questions if called and likely press for some form of warranty extension in exchange for use of the car.

After reading into their intensions, they are likely identifying owners in the Midwest. The claim is the car will be driven to Nissan's facility near Detroit which is about 200 miles one-way in my case. That could be entertaining in itself to watch. Have visions of someone waiting for a tow truck on the Ohio Turnpike about 15 miles short of the only service plaza with a DCFC station. It would be poetic justice if they arrive to find the only CHAdeMO plug not working. Time will tell what happens.

 

[GerryAZ]

My opinion is that $200 is not adequate compensation for putting a minimum of 400 miles and 2 DCQC charges on the car. I live within easy LEAF Plus driving distance of Nissan's big test facility if they ever contact me. Like yours, the battery warranty will expire due to distance rather than time. It will be close to 70k miles when it goes in for its next annual battery test next month (4 years and still 12 capacity bars, but may be close to dropping the first bar).

I cannot worry too much about battery heat or I could not drive the car now (Phoenix setting record for number of consecutive days with high temperatures of 110 degrees F or higher and likely about to set record for number of consecutive days with overnight lows not dropping below 90 F at PHX Airport--several more days anticipated). Temperatures at my house on the north side of Phoenix have been dropping to the upper 80's during the night, but still not enough to significantly cool the battery.