Nissan has made a declaration of intent in Japan and introduced the next generation X TrailMid-size SUV and Juke light SUV and confirmation of a new one Xterra Off-road SUV and a rebirth Skyline Sports car.
At the launch of the two new SUV models, Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa made it clear that the company needs to be sensible in developing its strategy.
“We have to be honest about where Nissan is today,” he said. “Our portfolio aged faster than the market.”
Nissan’s clear approach at a global level is one of “right sizing”. The brand has confirmed that it will cull model ranges and limit its presence only to profitable sectors.
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“(Nissan will decide) where to go, where to collaborate and where to stop,” Mr. Espinosa said.
“We will slim down our model range from 56 to 45 models, eliminate underperforming products and focus on growth,” he said.
Still, the Nissan boss confirmed he would revive model lines like the Xterra SUV in the U.S. market, with body-on-frame design and a V6 gasoline-electric hybrid engine sourced from a partnership.
And he confirmed that there will be a new-generation Skyline, with hot plate-style taillights being touted by the assembled media, but little else has been confirmed for the model – aside from confirming that it will fall into the “heartbeat model” category for the company.
Of the four model ranges the brand has discussed, the Heartbeat range includes the Leaf, Patrol and Z models, while the core models include the X-Trail, Qashqai and models such as Sylphy, Roox and Note.
The growth models include the Chinese-made NX8 electric SUV, the N7 electric sedan and the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid pickup. These, together with the new Micra small electric car (a small car from Renault), also fall into the partner model range.
In Australia, Nissan recently launched the mid-life facelift of the X-Trail range, with a revised model range that offers better standard equipment and better value for money.
In the current X-Trail range in Australia, three versions are equipped with the e-Power electrified powertrain, which uses a petrol engine only as a generator rather than sending drive directly to the wheels – although the SUV does not have a plug for charging.
These versions are sold alongside petrol models with front- or four-wheel drive and five or seven seats.
With the new X-Trail, Nissan relies entirely on electric drive; models with a pure combustion engine are not available. The e-4orce all-wheel drive should also be standard in all variants.
The model, also sold as the Nissan Rogue in markets such as North America, features a more distinctive appearance with a triangular grille and lighting signature.
As for the angular and angry looking new generation Juke? It is a “Europe-focused” vehicle and is unlikely to be sold beyond these borders any time soon.
The previous Juke has already been discontinued in Australia as the British-built compact model was not successful in our market.
The compact crossover hatch, which was previously powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, has undergone some significant changes and now looks completely different, more akin to a pumped-up version of the new-generation Micra.
It features rounded headlights in typical Juke fashion – but the sharp lines and distinctive plastic bits make it look like a Toyota CH-R that’s hit the gym a little too hard.
More Nissan news coming soon, stay tuned.
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