World Auto News & Reviews

Nissan has announced that the next-generation Qashqai compact SUV will be made entirely in the U.K.

The Franco-Japanese automaker announced the news at a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street today where Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan, was also present.

It doesn’t even come close to being the prettiest model out in the market, but Nissan’s Juke sure ain’t boring. Now, Impal, one of Japan’s lesser-known tuning firms has set their eyes on improving Nissan’s small crossover with the release of a new performance and styling package.

The cosmetic makeover begins with a full aero kit comprising of a new front spoiler, side skirts or optionally side steps, a rear diffuser and a giant rear wing. The company’s aesthetic offerings also include a redesigned front grille, profile decals and exterior mirror trims.

We’re hearing less and less about the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the resulting supply chain disruptions, but that doesn’t mean the issues have gone away. Inside Line reports that the brand new Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is the latest vehicle hurt by the natural disaster.

The earthquake struck Japan just as Murano CrossCabriolet production was ramping up, and as a result the automaker was able to ship only 40 to 50 vehicles to customers. That’s bad news for any new vehicle fresh off a launch, but it’s especially damaging to a convertible at the beginning of the summer buying season. With the production of the CrossCabriolet stalled, Nissan likely won’t be able to make up volume until fall or later, and convertible sales almost always drop along with the temperature.

When we studied the trends of hatchback and sedan sales numbers within the subcompact segment, we found that the more functional three- and five-door models tend to attract the majority of buyers. Nissan – a company whose Versa enjoys the largest share (20 percent) of this segment – stated that about two-thirds of all Versas sold in the United States are hatchbacks.

2012 Nissan TiidaSo why, then, when the 2012 Versa sedan debuted at the New York Auto Show last month, was there no five-door variant in sight? After all, the Versa’s global sister, the Tiida (pictured right), debuted in funky hatchback form at the Shanghai Motor Show recently, and with the five-door model commanding the majority of sales, Nissan wouldn’t be smart to kill off its more popular offering.

Until today, the last thing Nissan wanted consumers to associate with its eco-minded Leaf was racing – the key phrase being, “until today.”
Preempting the new product blitz that is sure to follow this week with both the Shanghai and New York Auto Shows, Nissan has decided to jump start the week by revealing what they are calling a purpose-built prototype that comes complete with the in-house performance Nismo tuning and RC (racing competition) badging.