The five-segment booster is intended to power the early flight phase of Nasa's proposed Ares 1 launch vehicle - its replacement for the space shuttle.

BBC: Test ignition for 'Moon rocket'

The first U.S. vehicle will be a replacement for the Dodge Caliber, due at the end of 2011, followed by a compact Chrysler sedan and a replacement for the Jeep Compass, all sharing the same underpinnings.

FORBES: Magazine Article

A. Customers who believe that their vehicle battery may need repair or replacement should visit their nearest certified Nissan LEAF dealer.

ENGADGET: Nissan upgrades US Leaf warranties, will 'restore' batteries that lose too much charge

In 2004, President George W Bush instigated ambitious plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2020, necessitating the replacement of the shuttle by a new space vehicle.

BBC: Obama names US space agency chief

Larry Summers, Barack Obama's main economic adviser, has noted that current annualised vehicle sales of about 9m are well below the 14m necessary for replacement and rising population, while annualised housing starts are about a quarter of the rate needed to support the forming of new households.

ECONOMIST: The economy