DEL MAR, California – From an all-time high of almost 12% five years ago, the minivan's Canadian market share has dropped to less than five percent today. As the baby-boomers move out of the life stage of raising young growing families, they tend to move into utility vehicles—a widely diverse segment that now comprises 15% of the market share.
Although minivans have always had a strong following in Canada, their popularity has waned with increasingly youth-conscious consumers who'd rather be seen behind the wheel of a sporty CUV.
Some manufacturers decided to drop out of the segment altogether.
Nissan's Quest disappeared for a year to do some soul-searching, than re-emerged as a 2011 model having fully accepted its role as a family-oriented people mover. The previous Quest tried rather unsuccessfully to convince buyers, who didn't want a minivan, that it was a cutting edge vehicle with an exciting athletic character. A rather ungainly vehicle, that Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada's Director of Product Planning compared to a "dachshund". The 1st-generation Quest had a small droopy snout on a huge, bulbous body and a cabin too spartan to be really comforting.
After working through its identity crisis, the new Quest has embraced its segment, and is going after buyers who want minivans–complete with all their inherent quiet and comfort. Reinvented as a very family- and travel-friendly vehicle, the Quest "fits into the idea of being the best parent you can be" says Forsyth.
Nissan made clever use of social networking when launching its electric Leaf–building awareness and anticipation through interactive websites Facebook and Twitter.
For the Quest launch in Del Mar, California, Nissan has invited family-oriented internet columnists and "mommy-bloggers" to attend a program usually reserved for auto journalists. They'll fully experience the Quest and (hopefully) pass their impressions directly to their readers–the Quest's chosen demographic.
Outwardly, the new Quest is crisper, more stylish. Penned in Japan (as opposed to the previous U.S. model), it wears the "Dynamic Fluid Sculpture" design language.
That drooping, alien snout has been replaced with the bold, corporate family grille. Darkened glass and blacked-out pillars impart an open greenhouse and the roof seems to float above. The chiselled rear end wears the boomerang taillights of the 370Z. Although of a two-box design, the Quest is saved from slab-sidedness by sweeping body creases.
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| Outwardly, the new Quest is crisper, more stylish. Penned in Japan, it wears the "Dynamic Fluid Sculpture" design language. (Photo: Nissan) |
Although minivans have always had a strong following in Canada, their popularity has waned with increasingly youth-conscious consumers who'd rather be seen behind the wheel of a sporty CUV.
Some manufacturers decided to drop out of the segment altogether.
Nissan's Quest disappeared for a year to do some soul-searching, than re-emerged as a 2011 model having fully accepted its role as a family-oriented people mover. The previous Quest tried rather unsuccessfully to convince buyers, who didn't want a minivan, that it was a cutting edge vehicle with an exciting athletic character. A rather ungainly vehicle, that Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada's Director of Product Planning compared to a "dachshund". The 1st-generation Quest had a small droopy snout on a huge, bulbous body and a cabin too spartan to be really comforting.
After working through its identity crisis, the new Quest has embraced its segment, and is going after buyers who want minivans–complete with all their inherent quiet and comfort. Reinvented as a very family- and travel-friendly vehicle, the Quest "fits into the idea of being the best parent you can be" says Forsyth.
Nissan made clever use of social networking when launching its electric Leaf–building awareness and anticipation through interactive websites Facebook and Twitter.
For the Quest launch in Del Mar, California, Nissan has invited family-oriented internet columnists and "mommy-bloggers" to attend a program usually reserved for auto journalists. They'll fully experience the Quest and (hopefully) pass their impressions directly to their readers–the Quest's chosen demographic.
Outwardly, the new Quest is crisper, more stylish. Penned in Japan (as opposed to the previous U.S. model), it wears the "Dynamic Fluid Sculpture" design language.
That drooping, alien snout has been replaced with the bold, corporate family grille. Darkened glass and blacked-out pillars impart an open greenhouse and the roof seems to float above. The chiselled rear end wears the boomerang taillights of the 370Z. Although of a two-box design, the Quest is saved from slab-sidedness by sweeping body creases.
 |
| Darkened glass and blacked-out pillars impart an open greenhouse and the roof seems to float above. (Photo: Nissan) |