Nissan Motor lowers US sales forecast

Nissan North America senior vice president Dominique Thormann said Thursday that Nissan has lowered its industry forecast from 15.5 million vehicles to 15.2 million vehicles. Nissan's forecast covers its fiscal year, which began April 1.

Some automakers have predicted a rebound in the second half of this year thanks to federal stimulus checks and lower interest rates.

But Thormann says any rebound likely would be limited, and Nissan is predicting a depressed industry into 2009.

Thormann also confirmed Nissan plans to have electric vehicles in the U.S. by 2010.