Nissan planning new low-cost model below Versa for Unites States market
By Andrew C., 27 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
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Although the details have yet to be figured out, Nissan Motor Co. revealed plans to bring a new global small car to the United States after 2010 that will be positioned below its current entry-level product, the Nissan Versa. Nissan officials said that there is a major campaign to sell a million vehicles each year from a recently created low-cost "V platform" and that the US market will be included in this endeavor.
Three models are created from this small platform, namely: a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback and a multipurpose vehicle. These models will replace the subcompact Micra that is currently available in markets across the globe except the US. Nissan's Sunderland, England facility manufactures the European Micra, which shares a platform with the March that's sold in Japan.
Vincent Cobee, V platform manager, confirmed that this plan is in line with Nissan's attempt to get a firmer hold of the small A and B segments of the auto industry, which, according to him, is capturing a growing share of world vehicle sales. The new vehicle is said to contain a three-cylinder engine. At 146 inches long, the current Micra is nearly two feet shorter than the Versa.
Cobee said that the new platform will be manufactured at five plants around the world. It will be launched first in Thailand in March 2010. However, Cobee and the other project managers declined to reveal the official name of the latest vehicle or even the date when it will arrive at US dealerships. Cobee also did not say which of the three models would be offered to U.S. dealers. [via autonews]
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