Nissan's latest concept was conceived as a new form of entry level vehicle. Like a square peg in a round hole the Actic doesn't necessarily fit into a particular automotive genre, such as minivan, crossover, or sport-utility, but rather targets active, Gen-X males in their twenties who seek freedom, adventure and flexibility. I prefer to call them the MP3 crowd, who after years of riding skateboards are now riding substantial incomes.
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| Clearly Nissan wants to get the jump on the competition by creating a brand image that Gen-Xers can relate to. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
Regardless of labeling, don't underestimate the Gen-X purchasing power and appetite for technology. This generation grew up in the interactive, digital world of bits and bytes. Zeroing in on this crowd is forward-thinking marketing, albeit not a particularly new idea. Clearly Nissan, like Toyota with their U.S.-only Scion division, wants to get the jump on the competition by creating a brand image that the Gen-Xers can relate to. Doing so may establish brand loyalty at an early age, which could pay dividends as the Gen-X'ers mature and their automotive needs and desires change.
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| The wheel and tire package is intended to simulate the concept of cross-trainer running shoes. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
The Actic is essentially a 4-door coupe, as there is no B-pillar separating the uniquely designed front and rear sliding doors. The front doors slide forward and the rears rearward, creating a wide open passenger area which should make ingress and egress a snap for those of Incredible Hulk proportions.
The basic exterior shape imparts a squat, aggressive appearance that is nicely emphasized by fenders that flare out to meet the edge of the wide, 5-spoke wheels wrapped in 19-inch "cross trainer" tires. The wheel and tire package is intended to simulate the concept of cross-trainer running shoes, with a waffle patterned tire tread that is laminated to the aluminum-alloy rims, making the tires part of the wheel.