Nissan to Texans: "Our trucks are tough, too!"
It seems that full-size trucks must first curry the favor of Texans before they can court the rest of this country’s citizenry. Dodge introduced its Ram Mega Cab Dually in the state and Ford unleashed its 2007 Expedition on unsuspecting Texans attending this year’s Houston Auto Show. Toyota has eschewed any showmanship and will just build its new XXL Tundra in San Antonio.
Nissan has chosen to combat its less than stellar Titan sales by putting on a show in Bridgeport, Texas in order to demonstrate how tough its full-size pickups and SUVs can be. The Japanese company built an off-road course in a rock quarry recently purchased by the town that contained rock climbs, descents, water obstacles, rugged terrain and more. They then gave 80 journalists keys to the Titan and Frontier pickups and Xterra SUV and stood back… way back. We’ve yet to see any articles emerge from the media event, so we’ll have to wait and see how many journalists the company converted.
[Source: Nissan]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lithous 2:50PM (4/06/2006)
Is that supposed to be "Our trucks are tough, too" ?
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mike 2:58PM (4/06/2006)
HAHAHA!!! That is HILARIOUS! Spelling aside, Nissan's new trucks are really nice.
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Jason 3:01PM (4/06/2006)
Car & Driver already gave the current Xterra an excellent review following an offroad test.
http://tinyurl.com/m56mt
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offroader 3:03PM (4/06/2006)
April issue of Car and Driver SUV shootout:
1st place - Nisan Xterra
2nd place Jeep Grand Cherokee
3rd place Toyota FJ Cruiser
4th place Hummer H3
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Jorge 4:08PM (4/06/2006)
The Xterra and Titan are very nice vehicles. The new Xterra is improved in every way, but my one beef is the 4.0 is powerful but it can be thirsty. I wish Nissan would bring the X-trail in at the bottom of the SUV lineup. They already sell them in Canada, so how hard would it be?
If Nissan adds X-trail GT-R and Cube to their mix to go with the awesome new Altima, Maxima and Quest they will be a force!
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hj 4:15PM (4/06/2006)
offroader, did you read the article? The they rated them based on offroad vs onroad performance vs interior quality, comfort, etc. In terms of offroad performance they rated the H3 suprime.
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Puff Chippy 4:22PM (4/06/2006)
No REAL Texan would drive a foreign pickup no matter where it's bolted together.
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Kowell 4:38PM (4/06/2006)
#7--> Hail the retarded Redneck
#5--> THere are lots of X-Trail on the roads here and it'S not that impressive... it'S basicaly a Honda-CRV with even worst off road handling and cheap all plastic interior
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Will 4:52PM (4/06/2006)
#7 I think you might want to rethink your comment. If you look at the amount of Tundra trucks sold in Texas, I don't think you would be saying that, unless there are like 3 real rednecks left in Texas.
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offroader 5:02PM (4/06/2006)
#6 - Yes I read the article, and because I - like many people - don't live and work on the MOON, I thought it might be valid to post. If you read this blog, you'd see that Nissan set up an offroad course to show that their vehicles - including the Xterra are very good offroad as well. And, by the way you can drive them to work or to the store IN THE REAL WORLD. The H3 is a POS on the road and it's a gas guzzler on and off the road.
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Bob 5:05PM (4/06/2006)
It amazes me how you get called a redneck if you'll only buy American cars/trucks. What's up with that?
A redneck often refers to a bigot, or more affectionately to someone of less than middle class.
Why am I a redneck if I will not consider a stupid Toyota or Nissan Truck? Its a truck people, get over it. People have damn good reasons for buying American trucks. Often its brand loyalty, as a result of having good luck with particular product. Maybe it because they want to support more American jobs.
Neither of the two reasons above makes these people a redneck. When someone resorts to name-calling like this, it exposes some sort of weakness on behalf of the name-caller. One can only assume that he/she has some sort of prejudice of his/her own they feel inadequate about. Maybe they are feeling inadequate when they are seen driving their Toyota or Nissan, so they need to call the rest of us in Chevys and Fords rednecks.
I think people should examine their self before they start calling people rednecks.
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Sheniferous 5:09PM (4/06/2006)
April's issue of Motor Trend rated:
1) Toyota FJ Cruiser
2) Nissan Xterra
3) Hummer H3
4) Jeep Liberty Renegade
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Erik 5:49PM (4/06/2006)
Guess the Pathfinder and Armada couldn't handle the trail?
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Doogs 6:01PM (4/06/2006)
Bob - speaking of inadequacy, why the novel of a repsonse?
Saying "no real Texan would buy a foreign truck" makes you look like an ass, especially to Texans (including myself) who know better and see plenty of evidence to the contrary every day.
I don't know if it counts as bigoted...but I'm pretty sure belittling and declaring inadequate those who don't share your beliefs would fit the definition.
What is the big deal here? Trucks are trucks. There are five full-size models on the market to choose from - the Silverado, Ram, F-150, Tundra, and Titan.
All have similar arrangements, amenities, capabilities, etc. And all vary slightly. So if you need a truck, find the one that works best for you from all angles from price to reliability to styling, and go for it. And then don't belittle others if their needs and priorities lead them to a different model.
Unless their truck breaks during a mission critical task. In that case, by all means, mock away.
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Brian 4:34AM (4/07/2006)
all the new nissan trucks are built and I believe designed in the states. not the murano, because it's not really a truck. they're good equipment, except for the titan's brake issues, but they really needed the heavy duty to come out yesterday to gain the mindshare they're looking for. and they need to be able to handle a gooseneck trailer with the crew cab. and they need a long bed, and they need a cheap fullsize v6 option. and a regular cab. and that nifty titan lockbox needs to be standard. and commercial trucks and fleet sales need to be part of that market.
seriously, the truck market is complex because it's really a lot more needs based than the wants based market of commuter vehicles. it'll be a few years until the japanese can catch up.
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Cray 10:00AM (4/07/2006)
The mere fact that Toyota and Nissan sell SUVs and trucks in different classes to the America means they know they can sell their product regardless of whatever ignorance exist about foreign autos.
Bob, Quite few Toyotas and Nissan are American made. You should look and see for yourself before you open mouth and spout old myths about foriegn automakers.
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brooks 2:12AM (4/18/2006)
Ya'll shouldn't insult the person who wrote something, just support your own beliefs with facts so people can draw their own conclusions. Making assumptions about people's charecter just makes an ASS out of yoU and ME Instead, write something like this:
I would rather have a Ford F-150 because its technical specs fit my needs. And, from what I can tell, it also fufills the needs of a good quarter of ALL the vehicles in mt city of Deer Park TX. However, just the sound of the Nissan Titan with a modified exaust would make me consider it. One unrelated thing, the Texas editions of trucks really suck. From what I can see, it's just a bunch of extra plastic and a sticker that says, "Texas Edition." I'd rather take that money and buy a week's worth of gas.
Oh, and feel free to insult me. I'll probably never look at this article again.
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