As in July, only Nissan of the Big Six automakers, showed a profit. As compared to August of last year, sales for the auto industry are down roughly 15 percent.
One of the surprises here is that, unlike the rest of the industry, several of Nissan's trucks and SUVs had a really good month. Their formerly slow-selling Frontier midsize pickup broke out with 56-percent leap in August, totaling 9,140 sales. The Xterra SUV showed an incredible 77-percent increase with 8,208 units sold. One thing I'm happy to see is that Subaru continues to surprise with a 14 percent gain over last August. The new Forester had a 73 percent increase over last August!Here's AutoObserver's take: Auto Sales Still Dismal in August - But At Least It Wasn't July
Depending on which side of the fence you're on, this is either good news or lousy news. Me? I'm on the "lousy" side of the fence.
Okay, I guess I was wearing my "naive" cap on this one, as I was really hoping that--some how--some way--that Nissan and Dodge would find a way to keep the excellent 5.6L Nissan V8; but it ain't gonna happen. Way too expensive, so I've been told, to retro-fit the Nissan engine into the Dodge half-ton.
So the next Titan (are they even going to keep that name?) will follow the long-established pattern of being a 100-percent badge-engineered product. I don't know about anyone else, but I see this as having FAILURE being written all over it.
Why you may ask? Because I have yet to find a badge-engineered vehicle that I would want to own. Nope, not a one--and I don't expect this next Nissan truck to be any different. Nor have I seen any badge-engineered vehicles be really kick-ass successful. Granted, GMC has done pretty well, but it's always played second fiddle to the Chevy counterpart--and its future is very much up in the air. Nissan will get some sales. I don't, however, see this truck as ever being anything more than a bit player.
And if by chance I do find myself liking it--I'd buy the Dodge version instead, assuming I was in the market for a truck. I'd simply rather reward the guys who did all the real work here, and not reward the truck maker that bailed and took the easy way out. I suspect I'm not alone in feeling this way.
No doubt we can add Ford, Toyota and Nissan to this list too; but for now we have news on what GM and Dodge are up to.
GM
First off, beside offering hybrid pickups, GM will offering a high-mileage versions of the 2WD 1/2-tons. Known as "XFE" models (as in eXtra Fuel Economy), these are vehicles using well proven technology, as they employ lots of gears (6) and a tall 3.08 rear axle ratio. The 5.3L V8 as also been tweaked somewhat.
On the hybrid front, word has it that these models have been pushed back to the first half of next year for release.
For Dodge it's a good-news-bad-news situation. The good news is that they have priced the '09 Ram lower than the '08 model, and have given it more standard features than a comparable '08 model.
The bad news is that they have priced the '09 Ram lower than the '08
model, and have given it more standard features than a comparable '08
model. That mean any remaining '08s on dealer lots are going to be hard to move once the '09 models start arriving.
Whoa... Where did this come from? A Murano drop-top?
Inside Line is reporting that Nissan is indeed working on such a vehicle, and it's expected to arrive in 2011. 4-door convertibles are nothing new. Lincoln offered a Continental back in the 1960s with one; and back in the earlier part of the 20th century 4-door convertibles were pretty common. So my question is: Will they offer a dual-cowl version of this? Now that would be really cool!
Nissan is feeling the wrath of upset Arabs, as their TV commercial that is running in Israel pokes some fun at Arab sheiks that are upset at the Nissan Tilda for being too fuel-efficient, and thus costing them oil profits. Interesting to note that the video appears to be in Russian.
So now it looks like Nissan may have caused the latest Mid-East incident as the Persian Gulf states have threatened to boycott Nissan products unless the commercial is pulled, and Nissan apologizes. Here we go again...
The Infiniti G37 lineup consists of perhaps some of the best looking and most desirable cars ever to come from the Land of the Rising Sun. This is even more true of the G37 Coupe, a vehicle that's so good looking that it makes the Nissan GT-R look like the morning after of a night of too much sake.
So news that there will be an AWD version of the G37 Coupe has me a just bit giddy. Better still, Inifiniti is planning on doing a folding hardtop version as well, but likely in RWD. The hardtop-convertible will debut at the LA auto show in November, and will arrive in the first quarter of next year.
Also coming for all 2009 G models is a new 7-speed automatic that will replace the current 6-speed unit, plus an uprated brake package and new 18" rims.
Nissan has been relatively quiet when it comes to some eco-tech stuff, at least in comparison to Toyota and Honda, which are Nissan's primary competitors. That's about to change, as they just showed an all-electric car prototype, which is reportedly going on sale here in 2010. The car is FWD and uses lithium-ion batteries and a newly developed 80kW motor and inverter.Here's Inside Line's take: Nissan Previews Its Chevrolet Volt Fighter
Nissan has developed an 'Eco Pedal' that's designed to resist the driver's impulse to floor it. As the driver presses down on the gas pedal, the pedal pushes back, resisting the the driver's effort to accellerate. The idea here is to save gas, of course.
"When the driver exerts excess pressure on the accelerator, the system counteracts with the pedal push-back control mechanism," Nissan states.
While the thought is well intentioned, it will surely irritate those with lead feet. The good news for them is there is a defeat switch which can turn this eco-nanny off. Think we might see this on the gizmo-laden GT-R some day? Yeah, right...
AutoObserver is reporting that Chrysler LLC is talking to both Tata and Fiat. Early indications suggest that "parnerships" are being discussed. Items being rumored are that Tata may help build and sell Jeeps; and that Fiat (and Alfa Romeo) are looking for a way to get back in the American market, and Chrysler may be of assistance here.
That does not, however, mean that other subjects are not also on the table, as in Cerberus looking for a way to get out of this Chrysler mess. As you might expect, nobody is talking, which of course helps feed the wild speculation.
Good news on the carbon fiber front: There's a news report saying that Toray Industries Inc., Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. will be working as a team to develop a new carbon fiber material for use in auto bodies; the goal being to develop mass-market carbon fiber cars.The hope is to create mass production technology for the new material by the mid-2010s. If successful, they could save up to 40% lighter than their steel counterparts--and that's huge folks!Carbon fiber is one-quarter the weight of iron, but is 10 times as strong. High prices have been a major obstacle to the widespread use of carbon fiber in cars, but that's changing as the price of steel continues to rise.Full story here.
Okay folks, this 'Ring Thing is just getting plain silly, as Nissan has now taken a X-Trail Fuel-Cell to the curcuit. So I guess they can now claim to have both one of the fastest cars to lap the "Ring (GT-R: 7:29) and one of the slowest (X-Trail Fuel-Cell: 11:58).
Actually, the more I think about it, I think we should allow more really slow vehicles to have 'Ring lap braggin' rights. I say we (or someone) take the following vehicles to this famous circuit to cut some hot laps: The ever so-smart Smart; the hero of East Bloc countries, the Trabant; the in-production-for-over-a-half-century 2-wheeled Honda Cub; and a Tata Nano is certainly a no-brainer (nano-brainer?).
...And why stop with motor vehicles? How about the Kentucky Derby winner? Certainly a marathon runner should be allowed to do track time. Better still--Edmund's.com, lead by Editor in Chief Karl Brauer, could put together a 'Ring tag-team of joggers, dog walkers, bicyclists, skateboarders, wheelchair-bound and sub-10-year olds. Yeah! That's the ticket!
More evidence of the world-wide popularity of the Korean auto giant Hyundai-Kia, as they passed Honda in global sales in 2007. Hyundai-Kia is now ranked fifth in terms, which is previously the rank Honda held.
The Korean automaker was ranked 11th place in 1999, but moved up to 5th place in 2007 by out-selling rivals such as Honda, Nissan, PSA / Peugeot, Chrysler and Fiat.
Now Hyundai-Kia's global sales for 2007 were 3,961,629, whereas Honda sold 3,831,000 vehicles. Hyundai-Kia has shot up six places in just eight years, according to Automotive News' 2008 Global Data Book.
With all this interest and fuss about lap times at the Nürburgring, Jalopnik has posted some info and several videos of other vehicles lapping this famous track. So while the Corvette ZR1 Nissan GT-R lap times are amazing, they're nowhere near the time posted by the Porsche 956, which has lapped the 'Ring at 6:11.13.
The upcoming hybrid Honda CR-Z 2+2 sport coupe won't have that market to itself for long as Nissan is working on a direct competitor. Not much is known at the moment other than it will be small, FWD and it will be a hybrid. Rumors include a 6-speed DSG, possible Brembo brakes, and the engine will be around 1500cc.
While these images are pure speculation, it's interesting to to note that the grille strongly hints "Infiniti," and not "Nissan." Hmmm...
A couple of days ago Straightline posted an entry in which Honda CEO Takeo Fukui had issued an edict stating that the new NSX "must" beat the Nissan GT-R's "Ring lap record (Honda NSX "must" be faster than GT-R at the 'Ring). Now we learn that Honda, with their first trip to the Nürburging with this new car, just posted a 7:37 lap, which is within eight seconds of the Nissan GT-R's 7:29 lap record for a production car.
So if you had any doubts before, this is a sure indicator that the 'Ring lap time race is off and running...
Man, this Nürburgring lap record thing has really taken off. Might the word "obsession" be even a better descriptor?
Ever since the Nissan GT-R recently posted a record-breaking time, we've Cadillac, Honda and others going after the 'Ring's brass ring, so to speak... So here's Porsche too trying to cash in here—which makes sense, as they have perhaps the most to gain (or lose) by posting record lap time times there...
The upcoming Honda NSX "must" be faster than Nissan GT-R around Nurburgring is the ultimatum set forth by Honda CEO Takeo Fukui.
The NSX project engineers have their work cut out for them, for sure. Early info on the car suggest it will have a front-mounted 550 hp 5.5L V10 with cylinder deactivation capability, and will use a 8-speed paddle-shifting automatic. All that power will be sent to all four wheels via a beefed up version of the Acura SH-AWD...
Nissan has released info on the 2009 Frontier and Xterra models. As you can see, it's mostly a minor cosmetic upgrade, with a revised front end and new wheels. Inside there's a revised dash and some package upgrades; including an Xterra optional Technology package, including a Rockford Fosgate sound system, XM satellite radio, Bluetoth, redundant steering wheel controls and an iPod jack, standard equipment for 2009. The Xterra also gets optional off-road roof lights...
Renault and Nissan figure if Tata can build an ultra-cheap car like the Nano, so can they. So with that in mind they, in conjunction with their Indian partner Bajaj Auto Ltd., are going ahead with plans to build a car to compete in the $2500 range. Well actually it will be $3000, or so they hope, which is $500 more than the Nano.
XM's NavTraffic feature is gaining popularity by leaps abounds. For 2009 it will be offered on more than 40 vehicles. Those automakers include GM, Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti, and Toyota. The upcoming Hyundai Genesis will offer it, and GM is including the feature in 22 new vehicles this year...
Carscoop lived up to their name by scooping an image of the upcoming Nissan 370Z. The image was taken by someone with a camera phone at a recent Nissan event.
As you might expect the new Z will be powered by a 3.7L V6 with horsepower well north of 300. It is expected to debut at the next LA auto show next fall...
Nissan is reportedly going to show their light commercial vehicle (or vehicles), otherwise known as LCV(s), at the next Detroit auto show in January. As has been reported, Nissan plans on introducing three LCVs in the United States within the next few years. One is expected to be a van, quite possibly based on their Primastar van (pictured), which is sold in many other markets worldwide. If so, it's most direct competitor here would the the Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter vans, which have proven so popular with delivery services and tradesmen...
Recently Straightline confirmed that the next Titan and Dodge Ram are going to be kiss'n cousins. Now we have some more info on that model, as well as some new info on the yet-to-be-seen HD Nissan pickup.
As to the Titan, the doors and roof panels will be shared by the Titan. Other exterior body panels will be unique...
Here are a couple of newsworthy items pertaining to the new Nissan GT-R:
GT-R is the fastest production car ever to lap the Nurburgring circuit In mid April a production Nissan GT-R achieved a lap time of 7 minutes, 29 seconds, making it the fastest production car ever to lap the Nurburgring circuit. Earlier, a GT-R posted a 7 minute, 38 second lap time, establishing it as one of the world's fastest production cars.
Previously, the Porsche GT-2 and the Porsche Carrera achieved 7 minute 32 second lap times at the Nurburgring. Nissan's GT-R is now officially some 3-seconds quicker around the Nurburgring than Porsche...
Ah, nothing like a couple of teaser images to get your blood boiling and heart racing, and that's just what Nissan has done here with the new up-coming Z-car.
Yep, it's another Nissan GT-R blog entry, but this time with a twist. This time we have Jay Leno commenting on the vehicle—and yes, you can learn a few new things about the car as well.
We managed to snag a little face time with Nissan super boss Carlos Ghosn here in Beijing. As we expected, he talked mostly about business stuff given that he runs two of the world's biggest automakers, Nissan and Renault. He did, however, spend a few minutes talking about Nissan's electric vehicle program, and it's clear he sees it as a must-have technology for the future survival of the company.
Nissan's head honcho Carlos Ghosn was on hand here in Beijing to preside over the company's short but sweet press conference. Although Mr. Ghosn rode onto the stage in the Pivo 2 concept car, he only spent a minute or two talking about Nissan's electric vehicle plans.
Most of the press conference was dedicated to the introduction of the latest Nissan Teana...
Looks like the rumors have proved true. The next Nissan Titan will be built by Dodge in their Saltillo, Mexico plant.
No word yet on the specifics, but it's safe to assume it will be merely a Dodge Ram with Nissan styling cues. Think Nissan Frontier/ Suzuki Equador, and you pretty much have the picture...
Nissan is going to offer three trucks aimed at the commercial customer starting in 2010. As to what these trucks will be, that's not clear yet. However, judging by the article here, I suspect at least one of these trucks could well be a van, that would compete with the full-size Ford and GM vans.
Other possible vehicles could be a small bus or even a small dump truck...
Here are the totals: We drove for three days, covered 2000 miles, killed 4,236,465 bugs, touched 170 mph, met hundreds of Inside Line readers, burned through 115 gallons of 91 octane gasoline, used 8 bottles of octane booster, talked our way out of two 91 mph speeding tickets, did donuts on one dry lake, raced at one drag strip and lapped one state-of-the-art road course. We broke speed limits in three states (California, Nevada and Utah), let four Inside Line readers drive the GT-R, ate $100 worth of fast food, stopped at one very flooded, very beautiful, very large salt lake bed named for Captain B.L.E. Bonneville, used the GT-R's launch-control 14 times, answered the question "Is that the new Skyline?" 2,677 times, used our Verizon wireless card a total of 23 hours, killed no one, crashed never and hit one car wash in downtown Reno, the trip's finish line.
After taking our hot laps at Miller Motorsports Park, we took a tour of the rest of the facility. It’s a gearheads dream, and in this case, the gearhead’s name is Larry Miller, a prominent local car dealer. He built the place with his own money and spared no expense in the process.
The main attraction is the road course which features four different loops, the longest being a 4.5-mile layout with 23 turns. There’s also a nearly mile long go kart track with dirt sections on either end for running super motos. A row of world class pit garages sits on the 3,500 foot long main straight and well-situated grandstands are sprinkled throughout the edge of the course. The press box is as advanced as anything at Daytona and heck, even the bathrooms are impressively spotless.
What can we say? The GT-R is popular with the law enforcement crowd. First it was the CHP, then one of Sandy City’s finest. Yesterday, it was Officer J...
AutoObserver is reporting that Chrysler LLC is talking to both Tata and Fiat. Early indications suggest that "parnerships" are being discussed. Items being rumored are that Tata may help build and sell Jeeps; and that Fiat (and Alfa Romeo) are looking for a way to get back in the American market, and Chrysler may be of assistance here.
