Keiichi Tsuboi, a Nissan spokesman, confirmed that the two companies were in discussions but had no further comment.

"There were a lot of double takes," said Kyle Bazemore, a Nissan spokesman.

A Nissan spokesman could not confirm its weight or exact price.

"Before this car becomes practical, a number of things have to be looked at," said James Gill, a Nissan spokesman.

A Nissan spokesman said today that the company was accelerating its plan to reduce its work force.

"We will study it and watch and see what customer reaction is," James Gill, a Nissan spokesman, said.

Jason Vines, a Nissan spokesman, said the goal was improved operating results, not preparation by the company for a sale.

"There's a difference in the way the vehicles feel when you're driving them," said a Nissan spokesman, Fred Standish.

Current sales of about 200 a month make the start-up costs for Passat production unreasonable, a Nissan spokesman said.

A Nissan spokesman said that the company had paid a total of about $140,000 to Mr. Hoffman's concern.