Nissan stressed that the new subcompact would not replace the Sentra, bur 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.
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| The next generation of the Nissan Sentra should arrive in the summer of 2006. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
Before the Micra - if that is what Nissan eventually calls it - arrives, a new Sentra will be introduced next summer, as a 2006 model. 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, 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.
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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 kinds of attributes that could help lure more North American into the compact segment. Just how Nissan plans to target the compact market won't be answered until 2007 however.