Nissan to release range of commercial vehicles in U.S. in 2010
Click above for high-res shots of the Nissan NV200 concept
Nissan will be putting a full-court press on the small commercial vehicle market beginning in 2010, according to Joe Castelli, Nissan North America's vice president for light commercial vehicles and fleet. Specifically, the automaker will attack the smaller end of the market where the Ford E-Series vans and Super Duty trucks currently dominate.
Starting with the recently-unveiled NV2500 commercial van, Nissan will branch out to include at least one smaller urban transit vehicle, which will likely draw inspiration from the NV200 concept and do battle with Ford's upcoming Transit Connect. That van might be based on the same platform as the upcoming Cube scheduled to hit U.S. shores in 2009.
About one-third of Nissan's U.S. dealerships are planning to carry the new line of vehicles. It would be impossible to enter this market without a solid supply of diesel engines, so Nissan is believed to have contracted with Cummins for oil-burners, a convenient relationship now that the Japanese automaker has allied itself with Dodge.
Gallery: Nissan NV200 Concept
Gallery: Nissan NV2500 Concept
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jason 1:42PM (12/15/2008)
Wow... has Nissan decided that it's time to move in for the kill while the Detroit 3 are down?
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Sofa King Fast! 1:44PM (12/15/2008)
What? Are we talking about the truck partnership or did I miss something ?
"now that the Japanese automaker has allied itself with Dodge"
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tuna 2:16PM (12/15/2008)
Yes. The trucks for Nissan small car (Tiida/Versa) deal.
But this begs the question, what happens if Chrysler goes under?
Quick_scar 1:47PM (12/15/2008)
I can see where Nissan is trying to go, and it is a good idea..... But the vehicle is ugly!!!
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tuna 2:20PM (12/15/2008)
Just because YOU think it's ugly, doesn't mean it's the universal truth. Besides, that is just a concept study, not an accurate representation of what the production version will be. Moot point to comment.
s13hybrid 1:53PM (12/15/2008)
Pretty cool, especially if they offer easily transferable door panels to hold different types of tools. Easy costimization seems like a must for how these vehicles are set up.
Very innovative if you ask me.
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homunculus 1:56PM (12/15/2008)
nissan should release an e-series/econoline 8 passenger van fighter. i hate those goddam things.
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The Luigiian 1:58PM (12/15/2008)
Very kewl.
The Cube Van concept will be very nice for people who want a tiny car but need a tiny van.
Now all we need is a compact pickup (not midsize) for those who want a tiny car but need a tiny truck.
Then we'll have a full range.
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The Luigiian 2:01PM (12/15/2008)
P.S. Nissan, if you put a diesel in the U.S. market that's less than 3 liters in size put that sumb***h into the Nissan Frontier, por favor.
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Sofa King Fast! 2:23PM (12/15/2008)
I second that motion!
I have a frontier and it would be a great machine with a small diesel. I've been holding off buiying a replacement beacuse I keep hearing they are going to put a small diesel in a compact truck.
DCragtop 2:02PM (12/15/2008)
Commercial vehicle? Shoot, this thing is cool. I'd hook this mofo up wisum 22's, fender vents, R badges and exhaust!! aaahhhsnaaaaap.
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Throwback 2:47PM (12/15/2008)
I agree. i think these NV trucks are btter looking than Nissan's current range of trucks.
Smegley 2:04PM (12/15/2008)
Nissan is designing commercial vehicles for those who like to drive around their co-workers who sit in the back and surf porn all day. I want a job there! Oh wait ...
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DCragtop 2:07PM (12/15/2008)
you had me at porn.
Mazda FTW! 2:12PM (12/15/2008)
THATS where the Lego designers went. To Nissan.
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The Luigiian 2:17PM (12/15/2008)
That would certainly explain all the new Lego sets. I swear, they've been phoning in the new sets since at least 1995.
Iridium 2:25PM (12/15/2008)
This is the vehicle that will replace the Sprinter. Problem is that the configuration of the NV2500 doesn't look like it can match the Sprinter. One problem is that the front end is far too large. The design of the Sprinter maximizes cargo space where the NV2500 design does not. The NV2500 is more like a 250 Superduty based cargo vehicle.
The NV200 design is much closer to the cargo van that most companies would like to buy but it is not big enough.
The Sprinter is a fantastic work vehicle and makes really good small motorhomes. Nissan has to work very hard if it is going to match that vehicle.
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Mobius_1 3:17PM (12/15/2008)
Just need Kim Cattral ad to be a great success :P
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robin 3:33PM (12/15/2008)
Nissan already makes a sprinter competitor, its called the Interstar... Check out Nissans European or Mexican web sites to see it.
I Love the NV200 concept, the shape is awesome, we don't need it built in the concept configuration, just make it a regular cargo van with some nice options available, European cargo vans have many options, three seats, power windows/ locks, reversing sensors and more, some of us want a better cargo van, not just basic models.
The NV250 just looks odd to me, especially that front end...
Id still like to see the Primastar make it to these shores, its a terrific vehicle.
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robin 3:42PM (12/15/2008)
Forget the diesel its more expensive than gas, prices will only go higher when we have a bigger need, (supply and demand basics)
Lets have a reuglar automatic transmission too, I hate CVTs and wont buy a Nissan for that reason alone.
We desperatly need better cargo vans, I think the Transit Connect will do well, The NV200 will be a great competiitor.
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