Autoblog

Nissan to build Golf-fighter in Spain

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Nissan, Earnings/Financials

Nissan hasn't had a proper European entry in the ridiculously popular compact hatchback segment since it stopped offering its somewhat staid and uninspiring Almera (above) in 2006. According to Automotive News Europe, the new machine, which will not be called Almera, will be marketed against the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus - two extremely popular models in Europe. Production is slated to begin in July of 2014.

The new compact will be built in Barcelona, Spain, at the factory that currently builds the Pathfinder, Navara pickup and NV200 commercial van. An investment of $178 million will be made to assemble the compact car, and an additional $27 million will go to the plant to create more trucks and transmissions for electric vehicles.

The decision to invest in Spain comes after the automaker successfully renegotiated contracts with local unions. Similar talks are underway in France, where Nissan partner Renault is based, but as of yet no new agreements have been struck. Feel free to browse through the official press release below.

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Nissan to build Golf-fighter in Spain originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan upsets Japanese media by making them wait for new Versa

George Kennedy — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Japan, Hatchback, Nissan

Who knew an unveiling of a workaday subcompact could create such a fuss? A practice growing in popularity among the Japanese auto industry has not been well received by the country's automotive press. It seems that automakers' plans to debut new models in other markets, well in advance of a home market on-sale date, is rubbing local media members the wrong way. This sentiment is could very well be the motivation behind what went down at Nissan's Yokohama headquarters recently.

The Japanese automotive press gathered at Nissan HQ for the home market unveiling of the Versa (a.k.a. Tiida, Sunny, Almera, Pulsar, depending on where you live). According to reports, the media met the automaker with jeers rather than the usual "oohs" and "aahs" that come with a vehicle unveiling. Members of the press took issue with what they viewed as a lack of basic features. One reporter noted the lack of a middle rear headrest, suggesting that any employees driving the Versa as a fleet car will view it as if Nissan's management does not value them.

Apparently, the Versa costs 1,388,100 yen, which converts to $17,638 in undervalued dollars - well above the $10,990 starting price in the States. However, that was not as central to the complaints as much as the notion that the perceived decontenting risked demotivating Japanese workers. It's a unique critique, but one cannot argue with the Versa's international success - the car is already selling 500,000 units internationally.

Nissan upsets Japanese media by making them wait for new Versa originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan launches rough and ready Almera in Moscow

George Kennedy — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows, Russia

Nissan has taken advantage of the Moscow Motor Show to unveil a new Russian-specific sedan with an old name. The Nissan Almera is a new offering that will be built in Russia and feature attributes that, according to Nissan, "meet the unique demands of the Russian market." What exactly does that mean? The Almera features raised ground clearance (just check out the gaps in the wheel wells), special anti-corrosion treatment for the chrome bits and added production for the underbody.

The new Almera will be be built in the Russian city of Togliatti, which is also home to plants for automaker AutoVAZ.

The emphasis here is on basic, robust construction - even underhood, where a yestertech 102-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine is protected by a steel skid plate. The Almera rides on a ground clearance of 6.3 inches, which according to Nissan, is best in class, as is trunk room.

The Almera is the latest move stemming from Nissan's desire to expand its Russian automobile business - as of late May, the brand represented 5.9 percent of the market. This is the first step in a plan that Nissan hopes will bring its market share to ten percent by 2016.

Check out the gallery for images and the press release below for more information on the new Nissan Almera.

Continue reading Nissan launches rough and ready Almera in Moscow

Nissan launches rough and ready Almera in Moscow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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