Nissan Tiida Goes To Europe?
Nissan Europe plans to announce a new model for Europe at Geneva Motor Show 2007 this March. The press release says “a new model which will reinforce the company’s profit and growth aspirations in Europe”. No more info is given but we suggest that this might be a replacement for Almera named Tiida that is already on sale in Asia and Australia markets.
The Tiida is a bit awkward looking small family hatchback in Golf-size segment. In overall styling and in front view in particular it is pretty similar to Renault Megane although the back styling is not that sharp cut.
Nissan Europe sales in 2006 were not promising despite a new Nissan Note model launch - Nissan Europe reported 0.2% decrease comparing to 2005 while the main Nissan’s european bestseller - the Micra - shows a drastic 24% decline. In overall, Nissan is down in all major markets except Germany and Russia.
New Mazda 2
As we reported earlier that old Mazda 2 production had been stoped, the Japaneese house is now ready to announce its third generation. The styling has undergone a complete change from that cubic micro MPV style to a new sleek and dynamic appearance resembling an all new CX-7 coming later this year. Another important change is production plant for European versions relocating from Spain’s Valencia (the plant belongs to Ford) to mather Japan land where Mazda 2 is known as Demio and its first generation had been once built there.
Renault To Expand Its Russia Plant
Renault plans to spend another US$150m at its Moscow plant where Dacia Logans are assembled for sale on the booming Russian market - in Russia the Logan is marketed under Renault brand and is considered a major rival for the local Lada. The investment will increase the Moscow plant output to 160,000 Logans a year from today’s 80,000. Meanwhile Renault experiences major sales decline in Europe in 2006.