The Nissan Van is new, it's different from what's been available, and it's almost ready to buy. Nissan Commercial Vehicles executives showed off their entry in the cargo van market Feb. 1 in Miami, and said production was officially launched with a Job One ceremony at an expanded plant in Canton, Miss., on Jan. 19.

The 2012-model Nissan Van (NV) will come in three models with two roof heights, two gasoline engines, and a host of user-suggested features, executives said at the launch. Pricing starts at about $24,600 for the lightest model with a V-6 gasoline engine. Dealers should have them for sale by this spring.

The NV has a pickup-like front end with a long hood for easy access to the engine and large cab that gives plenty of leg and torso room for driver and passengers. Roomy cargo areas come in regular and tall heights, and surfaces are fitted with recessed tie-down rings, hard points for mounting ladder racks, shelving and the like. Vans are also pre-wired for use by upfitters, and are available with power outlets and a technology package for hands-free phone conversations and GPS navigating.

Extensive customer research preceded design work so users' wants and needs are met, executives said. And although Nissan is new to the commercial truck market here, it has been building and selling commercial vehicles elsewhere in the world for more than 75 years, said Joe Castelli, Nissan North America's vice president, commercial vehicles and fleet.

"At the same time, we've taken a fresh look at every aspect of the CV business - including styling, powertrain, interiors, cost of operation and ownership, dealership sales and service operations and, most importantly, real world customer needs."

Several years ago Castelli went to Nissan from Ford Commercial Truck, where he managed the E-Series program, among other things. And the E-Series, which claims more than half of all cargo van sales in the U.S., is the obvious competitor and main target for the NV, he and other executives said.

"It's been too many years since any manufacturer in this segment has taken a 'clean sheet' look at the needs of owners and operators in the CV segment," said Castelli. "We've invested more than five years researching the comfort, style and smart functionality demands that will enable business owners to accomplish more throughout their day. We plan on coming out of the box with segment-busting vehicles, so customer input was essential."

The NV planning team employed focus groups, on-site visits and concept reviews. Quantitative and qualitative research took place in Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, Dallas, Detroit, New York, Minnesota, Arizona and other markets, Nissan executives said. The team met with large fleet owners and managers, small business owners, aftermarket suppliers and converters, and rode along with owners of competitive vehicles.

That research and subsequent planning yielded three versions of the vans, designated NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD, with half-, three-quarter- and one-ton payloads, respectively. They will be available with two gasoline engines: a 4-liter V-6 rated at 261 horsepower and 281 pounds-feet of torque from the Nissan Frontier pickup, and a 5.6-liter V8 with 317 horsepower and 385 pounds-feet from the Titan pickup. Each is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

NVs come in two body styles: Standard Roof, available in all models, and High Roof, in the 2500 and 3500 models. Cargo areas in High Roof models have stand-up height and walk-through capability in their cargo areas. Wheel wells are flat-topped for easy stacking of boxes and mounting of equipment. Tall, wide, swing-type rear doors offer easy access to the cargo area. The broad body sides project a serious commercial vehicle appearance and provide ample room for company logos and advertising messages, executives said.

Cab interiors are roomy and comfortable with wide, supportive seating and an expansive instrument panel. The passenger seat's back folds down to form a worktable. An available large lockable center console has compartments and space for binders, hanging file folders and a laptop computer. Doors have large pockets, a wide overhead console is available with High Roof models, and under-seat storage drawers can be had in 2500 and 3500 models. Optional 120-volt power outlets are located in the center console and rear of the cargo compartment.

Two trim levels, S and SV, are offered. Suggested retail prices range from $24,590 for an NV1500 S with a Standard Roof and a V-6 engine to $32,190 for an NV3500 SV High Roof with a V-8.

At the Job One ceremony in Mississippi, executives said the Canton plant underwent a two-year, $118 million expansion to accommodate production of the new NV. That included expansion and modification of assembly areas and a paint shop, plus installation of a new assembly line in a trim and chassis shop. The Canton facility also produces the Nissan Altima sedan, Titan pickup and Armada SUV. The plant employs 3,300 workers.

Nissan also announced the donation of a new 2012 Nissan NV to Habitat for Humanity of Metro Jackson for use in building new homes in the Canton - Jackson region. Over the past five years, Nissan has provided over $5 million in grant money and in-kind donations to Habitat for Humanity, and over 5,000 Nissan team members have volunteered in more than 25 home builds across the United States.

"Since we think the Nissan NV is ideally suited for use by contractors such as home builders, we've decided to let Habitat for Humanity put it to the test in the real world," said Carlos Tavares, chairman of Nissan Americas.