A quartet of concept cars – including two world premieres – offers a glimpse of the company’s future
At a glance
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Two World premiere concept cars to be unveiled
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INVITATION concept to inspire next generation compact hatchback
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Juke NISMO and e-NV200 concepts to make European debut
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Excitement promised from NISMO roll-out
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Expansion of electric vehicle range
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One more world premiere promised… details still on the secret list
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Market confidence for 2012 building on record 2011 sales
Four forward-looking concepts that will take centre stage on the Nissan stand at the Geneva Motor Show (8-18 March).
They will join a full complement of innovative models that demonstrate the strength and depth of Nissan’s diverse range… a range that has helped the company to record sales success in 2011.
Among the key new concepts will be the world premiere of INVITATION, a design set to inspire a new production model due in Europe during 2013. When launched, this new model will join Micra and Juke to give Nissan the broadest offering of any manufacturer in the compact hatchback segment.
A confident and energetic design, INVITATION offers a modern and spacious interior in a compact overall package. Showcasing the latest Nissan thinking in terms of lightweight construction and advanced engine design, this striking new concept has been designed to deliver spirited dynamics along with exceptional fuel economy and low emissions – the no compromise approach for which the company is becoming renowned.
It also packs some of the most advanced technology seen in a car of its class, including the acclaimed Around View Monitor (AVM) which gives a bird’s eye view of car for easy parking, and the Nissan Safety Shield Technologies which uses cameras and proximity sensors to alert the driver to potential danger.
INVITATION is one of two concepts being given their World Premiere at Geneva. Details of the second unveil are being kept closely guarded until the show itself.
And there’s more. Two further concepts, both hinting at future directions for Nissan, will be given their European debuts at Geneva.
The first, e-NV200, previews Nissan’s next 100% electric vehicle. It is based on the multi award-winning NV200 that can offer affordable family transport with seating for up to seven. NV200 was recently chosen as the base for the next generation New York ‘yellow’ cab and will soon be a regular sight on the streets of The Big Apple.
e-NV200 demonstrates Nissan’s next step in zero emission leadership, following on from the multi-award-winning LEAF passenger car, already on sale and on the road in the UK.
Another glimpse to the future is provided by the Juke NISMO Concept. First seen in December at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, it adds serious sporting appeal to the distinctive Juke crossover.
NISMO, Nissan’s legendary motorsports division, has inspired the Juke NISMO Concept and gives the first glimpse into the company’s strategy to create performance and premium sports versions of mainstream Nissan models; models that are guaranteed to deliver driving excitement.
The four concepts will be joining one of the widest ranges available from any manufacturer – everything from the Pixo city car and Micra supermini via best selling crossovers like Juke and Qashqai, tough 4x4s like Pathfinder and Navara, and the pioneering Nissan LEAF EV to the awesome GT-R supercar.
In keeping with Nissan’s commitment to continual improvement, many of the production cars on the stand will either show minor revisions for the 2012 model year or special versions providing added value and extra excitement for buyers.
But there remains one constant, which is common to every vehicle wearing a Nissan badge. Every Nissan, car or van, is infused with the company’s DNA: innovation and excitement. It’s a formula that has clearly found favour with buyers – despite the economic downturn, Nissan in Europe enjoyed its best year in 2011. Sales were up 25 per cent on 2010, giving the company its highest ever market share of 3.7 per cent.
Sales each month were higher than the equivalent month in 2010 and the company saw significant growth in most of its major markets with Russia, the UK and France in the top three positions. Russia posted sales of 138,827 units, up 74 per cent, with the UK on 107,053 (up 11 per cent) and France on 77,783 sales (up 31 per cent).
Nissan’s best selling range was Qashqai. Despite being in the fifth year of its life, its popularity continues unabated and has earned it the title of ‘the car that defies gravity’. In 2010, more than 250,000 examples of the segment-defining crossover – available with five seats and, as Qashqai+2, with seven seats – found new customers across Europe.
Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing in Europe said: “This performance is driven by segment-defining models designed, engineered and built in Europe, for Europe.
“Nissan produces around 70 per cent of vehicles sold within the region at plants in the UK, Spain and Russia. This ensures our line-up is attuned to European expectations in terms of style, quality, performance and reliability.
“The future product vision promised by these four concept vehicles – when added to the strength and depth of our full range – shows the confidence coursing through every aspect of Nissan today. We are on target to become the top Asian brand right across Europe by 2016.”
