Euro Auto Trends

The Ford’s Focus and Fiesta seem to remain the top sellers in UK in their respective segments beating with quite a margin the forerunning Vauxhall’s Astra and Corsa. This is not the common European trend where Opels are more successfull.

Also the continental B-class bestseller Fiat Grande Punto still eats the dust of the Germans Fiesta and Corsa and the French 207 and Clio on the islands.

Not exactly the European auto news but the successfull Reanault/Dacia low-cost bestseller Logan has been confirmed for expansion into Latin America markets. It is planned for assembly in Brazil and firstly goes on sale in Mexico.

Certnainly it is hard to sell a Dacia or a Renault to anyone in Mexico so it is naturally goes under the Nissan brand.

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.