Nissan stressed that the new subcompact would not replace the Sentra, but rather strengthen its new car offerings by allowing those with less money to purchase a new car with all the benefits that go along with it. Right now less affluent new car buyers are purchasing Hyundai Accents, Kia Rios, Toyota Echo Hatchbacks, Chevy Aveos, Pontiac Waves and Suzuki Sprint+s, which means that Nissan is missing out on this entry-level customer completely.
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Will Nissan's next-generation Sentra, to be made at the Aguascalientes, Mexico plant,resemble the fabulous Sport Concept introduced earlier this year?(Photo: Nissan Canada)
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Before the Micra - if that is what Nissan eventually calls it - arrives, a new Sentra will be introduced. Nissan says that the new Sentra will remain the automaker's core compact passenger car in North America, and will be designed to meet the high expectations compact car buyers now expect in this class. New compacts have improved in performance and interior quality in recent years, a segment that is now arguably led by the Mazda3.
Nissan's Aguascalientes Plant in Mexico will continue to build the Sentra, and also remain as the only Sentra plant the world over. But, as reported by the Green Car Congress, a $55 million upgrade to the facility is coming, which will allow Nissan to produce the new 1.5-litre Renault-powered subcompact alongside the Sentra. Currently Nissan's Mexican manufacturing plants build 300,000 cars and 100,000 trucks per annum. The planned extension will add 100,000 subcompacts to the mix.
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| The Micra C+C sports a retractable hardtop, similar in context to the folding roof on the Mercedes-Benz SLK and SL models, as well as Cadillac's XLR and the Lexus SC 430. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
The question that remains is whether Nissan is looking at the North American compact car market in the same light as it does the European. Overseas it offers a well-equipped convertible subcompact it calls the C+C (see New Vehicle Reviews archive under Nissan for December 30, 2003: 2004 Nissan Micra C+C Preview). It offers open-air touring with an upscale interior package, the types of attributes that could help lure more North American buyers into the compact segment. Just how Nissan plans to target the compact market won't be answered until the new car arrives however. At least it has years of experience in the subcompact segment in other world markets, has previously done well selling Micras to Canadian and American customers, and now has a variety of competitors to acid test against prior to entering the North American market with its own entry-level model. It should be very good.
