Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant
Click on the above sketch for a high-res gallery of the Micra 160 SR
After sharing tea at Nissan's European Design Centre in central London, Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Company, and the Right Honorable Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, released the news that Nissan will design and build an all-new compact car in the UK's Sunderland plant. The car, a dedicated A-platform, will be used for several new models, including the next-gen Micra. According to the press release posted after the jump, the new Nissan will fill the void created when the current version of the Nissan Micra ends production in 2010. A boon for the local economy, the Sunderland facility employs 4,700 Brits who helped produce 374,000 vehicles in 2007. Nearly 80-percent of those were exported, making Nissan the largest vehicle exporter in the United Kingdom.
Gallery: Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR
PRESS RELEASE
NISSAN ANNOUNCES NEW VEHICLE FOR SUNDERLAND PLANT
LONDON, Tuesday 3rd June, 2008 - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced that it will source an innovative all-new compact car from its Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom (UK), starting in 2010. Building on the success of the Qashqai, the all-new product will reinforce Sunderland's role as manufacturer and exporter of high-value products.
The decision was announced following a visit today by the British Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Gordon Brown, to Nissan's European Design Centre in central London where he met Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Co.
The Prime Minister said, "Nissan is a global manufacturer with strong roots in Britain and I'm pleased to welcome Nissan's new investment in the UK. Today's announcement that a brand new car is to be designed and built in the UK is another important boost to our manufacturing industry, and builds upon Nissan's recent commitments to increase investment and jobs at its record breaking Sunderland plant.
"Sunderland's success shows what an innovative, talented and highly committed workforce can achieve, and reaffirms the UK's position as a strong player in the global car industry," he added.
Carlos Ghosn said, "By delivering on tough commitments, our employees at Sunderland have demonstrated our plant can be a globally competitive centre for the production of high-value products. We are encouraged by the proactive support shown by the British government to decide new products for the Sunderland plant."
The all-new vehicle will be an addition to the current Nissan range and for the Sunderland plant, and it will take up the manufacturing capacity created when production of the current version of the Micra ends in 2010.
Next generation Micra
Nissan will compete in the entry-car market with a dedicated new A platform that will be used for at least three models, including the next generation of Micra, and will be built in five Leading Competitive Countries (LCCs).
Production sites for this family of compact cars will include the new plant in Chennai, India, being constructed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The development of a competitive A platform is one of several business breakthroughs announced as part of Nissan GT 2012, the company's new five-year business plan.
The Nissan plant in Sunderland produced a record 374,000 vehicles in fiscal year 2007. Nissan is the largest vehicle exporter from the UK, with around 80% of production sold outside of the country. Together with the engine assembly plant and other facilities, Sunderland currently employs 4,700 workers.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
kamal 2:09PM (6/03/2008)
why dont they introduce these kinda cars in USA?
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Yar 2:14PM (6/03/2008)
Because you'd get beaten up for driving that in the states.
tuna 2:32PM (6/03/2008)
Roads full of full size trucks and SUVs? Highways with single and double semi trailers? Actually highway speeds that at least 10 mph over the posted limit of (usually) 70 mph? Think about it.
The Micra would only make sense in San Francisco where average speeds are low. It may work in NYC for parking, but speeds vary enough where it'd be too anemic to get you out of trouble. Also, a car meant for the masses has to be able to accomodate people of all shapes and sizes (I don't think I need to elaborate on that).
Just because a certain car could work for you don't mean there is a business case for mass production. You are a case study of one, not an accurate representation of the broader picture.
cheestea 10:15AM (6/04/2008)
@ Tuna,
The motorways in the UK are posted at 70mph but usually go between that and 90+ in the fast lane atleast. The micra has no problems with that kind of environment. However, with your freeways being full of generally much larger vehicles I can imagine feeling a little unprotected in the micra. The micra, as with things like the smart etc is probably more suitable for city driving where parking is difficult etc.
A small car like a micra wouldn't be my main car but if I needed a run around for the city, something like it would be great.
tuna 2:34PM (6/03/2008)
The teaser drawing points to:
http://www.goodcleantech.com/images/NissanMixim1.JPG
http://www.nextcar.com.au/i.nissan.tiida.concept.left.05oct.jpg
Definitely consistent with Nissan's recent design direction.
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Seminole 2:34PM (6/03/2008)
I got a question? Why do sub-compacts in Europe and Asia come so well equipped, but ours are featureless in comparison. This tiny little car has back up sensors, auto climate control, 6CD stereo, leather steering wheel, xenon headlights, etc.
I'm really curious, because I'd love to see those features on U.S. spec small cars. It would make them much more desirable to consumers IMO.
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zmf001 3:13PM (6/03/2008)
I agree 100%, I want a small car loaded with features. The reason they aren't here like that is due to price. Not many people are willing to pay a lot for a small car in this country. We have the idea that a $30k should be a certain size, and that is changing very slowly. Competitive sub-compacts in this country are ~$15k, not $25k.
I have no problem paying $30k for a small car, as long as it is quality and has the features I want. There are a few cars you can option up to this level, and the selection is slowing increasing. The Mini Cooper can be loaded to $30k quite easily, and it is a very nice small car. I am excited to see what Ford offers with the Fiesta, it could very easily be optioned to included everything you find in a Fusion or better.
martin 3:31PM (6/03/2008)
because americans wont pay for small high price cars, (well not strictly true as the mini is expensive, but thats the exception)
i have a fully loaded 2008 renault twingo gt, and to just do a straight conversion to dollars it comes out at over $20,000, now im pretty sure most americans would rather spend that on a dangerous and ancient suv than a tiny efficient car.
Seminole 3:44PM (6/03/2008)
Martin, unfortunately you can't do a direct currency conversion to compare car prices. A 3 series in the UK will cost upwards of $50,000 USD if you do a direct conversion but the same car in the U.S. costs in the $30's.
I have a feeling they could bring a feature laden small car to the U.S. for a cheap price, but won't because they know they can sell a stripped model at the same price and make a larger profit since the U.S. consumer doesn't expect luxuries on sub-compacts.
NeilNo 2:43PM (6/03/2008)
Oh, those subcompacts are becoming popular here in the US as the gas prices are soaring each day!
$8 a gallon here we come!!!
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chauncyg1 3:08PM (6/03/2008)
@ tuna-
That's just false. The Nissan Micra SR (the car shown in the pics) is plenty fast enough for the U.S. 0-60 in under 10 secs, top speed of 114mph, as fun to drive as a mini cooper and to top it all off, 40 mpg.
We need more cars like this.
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tuna 3:23PM (6/03/2008)
Speak for yourself. Even 7 second 0-60 is butt slow for the type of driving I see daily.
tuna 3:51PM (6/03/2008)
Still doesn't address this:
" a car meant for the masses has to be able to accomodate people of all shapes and sizes (I don't think I need to elaborate on that)."
Micro cars in America will remain a niche until they can meet the needs of the masses, regardless of fuel cost. Has $4 per gallon prices changed consumption habits of the majority? Clearly not. Gas stations are as busy as ever.
This is a multifaceted issue that can't be solved with small cars onlly. What good is a small car if you can't fit yourself or your gear in it... or drive it comfortably. Most people don't buy their cars solely because it makes sense. It's an emotional/impulsive purchase decision.
Cars like the Versa & Fit work because they offer decent fuel economy, acceleration and interior space. Any small car being considered for the Amercian market needs to have those two checkboxes ticked at minimum.
zmf001 3:56PM (6/03/2008)
7 second 0-60 is more than adequate. That is a BMW 328 floored. I don't know many people who drive a 328 that floor it off the line every time and complain about it.
I actually gathered data for this because people said that traffic pulls off the line faster in Upper St. Clair, PA than in Morgantown, WV. And they are right! I did 0-50 since most of the speed limits are around 45 or 50. Morgantown average 0-50 from a red light is 12.6 seconds. Upper St. Clair 0-50 average is 11.8 seconds. Still both slower than 7 seconds, and not even to 60.
People drive leisurely most of the time, most people don't floor it off the line. I do, but most people don't. :-)
Dazza 3:38PM (6/03/2008)
Tuna, you're talking out of your backside. Americans certainly do not drive to 60mph in 7 seconds - in fact the majority drive at a far more leisurely pace than Europeans do.
Still, roll-on higher fuel prices to stamp out the ridiculous and archaic big gas-guzzler mentality.
zmf001 3:41PM (6/03/2008)
We will eventually get cars like this.
In order to show manufactures that you want small, quality cars, even if they cost more, you have to go buy a small car now. Load the car with options and let the dealer know that you want more/better options. In today's economy sales speak louder than words!
GM can make a small quality car, Opel Corsa!
Ford can make a small quality car, Ford Fiesta! (Here soon)
Honda Fit (here, but no options)
VW Lupo/Polo
Audi A1
Mini Cooper (here, tons of options)
Toyota Vitz/Yaris (here, no options)
Nissan Micra
Smart ForTwo (here, junk transmission)
The list goes on, but they have to believe that we will buy it before they invest in bringing them here with tons of options.
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G.D. 3:50PM (6/03/2008)
7 second 0-60 is only available less than 15% of the cars on the road today, and that is when using left-foot braking acceleration techniques. That is not the norm for the US, so I am speaking for the majority, not some speed-addled minority who knows not of what they speak.
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tuna 3:52PM (6/03/2008)
15% eh? Where's your data to back that up?
zmf001 4:00PM (6/03/2008)
@Tuna
He doesn't need data to back that up. It already exists:
http://www.google.com/search?q=0-60+times
duo 9:47PM (6/03/2008)
Can someone please post a link of the sketch? That looks pretty cool
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