Nissan

Nissan confirms the return of Datsun

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:46:00 GMT

Nissan confirms the return of Datsun

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has officially announced the resurrection of the company's storied Datsun nameplate. The company will use the brand to strengthen its foothold in emerging markets from Indonesia to India and Russia, offering buyers inexpensive, fuel-efficient vehicles with loads of content ride out of the box. Last year, Nissan sold 60,000 units in the quickly growing Indonesian market, and the company aims to see that number swell to 250,000 units by 2014. That may seem ambitious, but total industry volume is set to balloon to nearly double its current size 890,000 units per year by 2017 according to analysts.

Datsun now marks the third brand in the Nissan stable alongside Infiniti. The automaker retired the Datsun nameplate in 1981 after reestablishing itself in the States as Nissan. With a new focus on low cost, small-displacement hardware geared toward emerging markets, we sadly don't expect to see the Datsun name reemerging on our shores any time soon.

Press Release

Nissan CEO expects strong growth in Indonesian auto market
- Carlos Ghosn details Indonesian investment and the launch of Datsun -

Production capacity to grow to 250,000 by 2014
33 billion Japanese yen investment
Nissan strongly supports Indonesia's green car program
Return of the Datsun brand

JAKARTA (20 March 2012) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced measures to strengthen its production base and sales presence in Indonesia. Total capacity will increase to 250,000 annually by 2014, with the workforce expanding to 3,300, and sales outlets are planned to increase to 150 by 2015.

On March 19, CEO Carlos Ghosn met Indonesia president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and reiterated Nissan's commitment to the nation's motorization.

"Nissan is bringing new jobs and new vehicles to Indonesia," said Ghosn. "We are going to expand our production capability and offer a new and exciting product line here."

The new plan announced today will make Nissan's Cikampek site, located 80 kilometers outside of Jakarta, one of the largest production facilities in the ASEAN region for Nissan.

In 2011, 890,000 vehicles were sold in Indonesia, for the first time making the nation ASEAN's largest car market. Nissan is in line to achieve its sales objectives of 60,000 units for fiscal year 2011. Indonesia total industry volume is estimated to increase nearly double by 2017 compared to 2010, largely driven by the introduction of the Green Car program now being drafted by the Indonesian government. Nissan strongly supports the program and looks forward to its speedy ratification.

While talking to the media, Ghosn announced the return of the Datsun brand, Nissan's third global brand, alongside Nissan and Infiniti. Datsun will provide sustainable motoring experience to optimistic up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets. Datsun represents 80 years of accumulated Japanese carmaking expertise and is a important part of Nissan's DNA. Datsun vehicles will start sales in India, Indonesia, and Russia from 2014.

Nissan Backs Ground-Breaking Deltawing Project for Le Mans

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:54:58 GMT

Nissan Backs Ground-Breaking Deltawing Project for Le Mans

The DeltaWing project now has two major corporate backers and, more importantly, an engine. Nissan and Michelin have signed on with the innovative project of designer Ben Bowlby, Dan Gurney's All-American Racers and Don Panoz. Now called the Nissan DeltaWing, the Japanese firm will provide a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-liter, four-cylinder with an output of around 300 horsepower. Known as DIG-T, the powerplant shares the same roots as the engine in the Nissan Juke.

That's about 200 hp down on the 510 horsepower developed by the diesel V6 in the Audi R18 e-tron Quattro and about half the horsepower developed by other LMP1 racers. However, Nissan says the engine is half the weight of a typical LMP1 motor, and paired with the DeltaWing's minimal aerodynamic drag, the lap times are said to be somewhere between those of the LMP1 and LMP2 classes. Why does this matter? Because Nissan and Co. are taking this needle-nosed baby to Le Mans.

Of call cars and classes, Nissan says this strangest looking effort is one that will "showcase the pioneering technology that will show one potential direction for the future of motorsport and will feed into the research and development of future technologies, that filter down to Nissan's road car product range

PRESSS RELEASE

Nissan Backs Ground-Breaking Deltawing Project for Le Mans

Nissan DeltaWing experimental racecar to be powered by Nissan 1.6-litre DIG-T engine technology in this generation's most revolutionary and exciting motorsport project

- Nissan leads efficiency charge as founding partner of project
- Innovative new racing car to run at Le Mans with Nissan technology
- Nissan DeltaWing will act as test bed for new road car technologies
- Drive for efficiency will see car use half the fuel of its conventional counterparts, bringing Nissan "PureDrive" principles to the track
- Initial backers include racing legends Dan Gurney and Don Panoz, concept designer Ben Bowlby and Michelin
- Special invitation from ACO to occupy 'Garage 56'
- Car to wear number '0' and run outside race classification

(LONDON, March 13, 2012/PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Nissan is aiming to change the face of endurance racing forever by becoming a founding partner in the most radical motorsport project of its time - Nissan DeltaWing.

A highly-advanced and hugely-efficient Nissan engine will power the remarkable DeltaWing car as it races in anger for the first time at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours (16-17 June).

While Nissan DeltaWing will not be classified in the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, the Company is looking to showcase the pioneering technology that will show one potential direction for the future of motorsport and will feed into the research and development of future technologies, that filter down to Nissan's road car product range.

A race-prepared 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, featuring direct petrol injection and a turbocharger, will power Nissan DeltaWing, which is half the weight and has half the aerodynamic drag of a conventional racer.

With innovation at its core, Nissan was a natural partner to be invited into the DeltaWing family by the existing group of core partners - US-domiciled British designer Ben Bowlby, American motorsport entrepreneur Don Panoz, the All-American Racers organization of former US Formula 1 driver Dan Gurney, Duncan Dayton's two-time championship-winning Highcroft Racing team and Michelin Tyres North America.

The engine, badged DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline - Turbocharged), is expected to produce around 300hp, sufficient to give Nissan DeltaWing lap times between LMP1 and LMP2 machines at Le Mans, despite having only half the power of those conventional prototypes. It features the same technology found in Nissan road cars, such as the range-topping Nissan Juke DIG-T.

"As motor racing rulebooks have become tighter over time, racing cars look more and more similar and the technology used has had less and less relevance to road car development. Nissan DeltaWing aims to change that and we were an obvious choice to become part of the project," said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

"But this is just the start of our involvement. Nissan DeltaWing embodies a vast number of highly-innovative ideas that we can learn from. At the same time, our engineering resources and commitment to fuel efficiency leadership via our PureDrive strategy will help develop DeltaWing into a testbed of innovation for Nissan".

"This announcement gives Nissan the opportunity to become part of a ground-breaking motorsport project and one which could shape the future of the sport," he added.

Nissan DeltaWing concept originator and designer, Briton Ben Bowlby, said: "Nissan has provided us with our first choice engine. It's a spectacular piece. We've got the engine of our dreams: it's the right weight, has the right power and it's phenomenally efficient."

Nissan DeltaWing is unlike any other racing car currently on track. The driver sits well back in the car, almost over the rear axle and looks ahead down a long, narrow fuselage to narrow twin front tyres, specially created for the car by tyre partner Michelin. With a rear-mounted engine, the car has a strong rearward weight bias, which makes it highly manoeuvrable, while its light weight and slippery shape make it far more efficient.

Its innovative design and forward-looking technology have encouraged the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the organisers of the famous Le Mans 24 Hours, to invite the car to run in this year's race from 'Garage 56', the spot in the pitlane reserved for experimental cars. As it doesn't conform to any existing championship regulations, Nissan DeltaWing will not be eligible to challenge for silverware and will carry the race number '0'.

Nissan's expertise has been applied to the development of the engine, in order to make it light and efficient enough to prove the philosophy behind the concept can work in 'real-world' motor racing. The Company, always among the first to embrace such radical ideas and surprising new performance innovations, has promised to apply key learnings from the experience to inform strategies for its PureDrive aerodynamics and efficiency package for road cars, as well as its overall research & development programmes.

Dan Gurney's legendary All American Racers organization has built the DeltaWing. The new car continues the California organisation's incredible legacy as a race car constructor which has included 157 different cars built - earning major victories in Formula 1, sportscars and the Indianapolis 500.

Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President, Nissan in Europe, said: "Nissan is a very innovative, forward-thinking company prepared to take a risk or two. And exactly the same applies to Nissan DeltaWing. Our involvement in the project shows the boldness of Nissan from an engineering and innovation mindset."

The first two Nissan DeltaWing drivers to be confirmed are British Sportscar racer Marino Franchitti and Nissan's reigning FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm. The car will make its first public demo laps at Sebring, Florida, at 12.30pm local time on Thursday, March 15.

Nissan Juke R Worlds Quickest Crossover SUV “Video”

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:52:00 GMT

Nissan Juke R Worlds Quickest Crossover SUV “Video”

Nissan Juke-R is world's quickest crossover with 3.7s 0-60 time

Nissan has doe it again Making the fastest SUV aka Crossover, taking all the technology from its Nissan GT-R and putting it in a smaller package

The Nissan Juke R is a gaggle of impressive numbers: 1,540 hours and 22 weeks of development time, 11 videos of its development, several upset bosses, 480 GT-R-derived horsepower and 428 pound-feet – and to that group we can add a 3.7-second 0-to-60 time and a top speed of 160 miles per hour. Yes, 3.7 seconds may be a second slower than the GT-R, but it's only two-tenths of a second slower than the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Source: Nissa, Autoblog.com

Nissan agrees to make engines for Mercedes in US

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:09:54 GMT

Nissan agrees to make engines for Mercedes in US

Nissan will produce high-end four-cylinder engines at its Decherd, Tennessee facility. The engine will find its way under the hood of Mercedes and Infiniti models beginning in 2014, with a max capacity of 250,000 units per year.
Both automakers are understandably excited about the strategic announcement. Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn called the tie-up "our most significant project outside of Europe so far." Daimler Chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche added that the co-op will help Mercedes achieve its expansion goals, adding that the engine agreement will "make optimum use of synergies arising from the cooperation."

PRESS RELEASE

Nissan and Daimler to produce engines together in North America
In the latest step forward in the collaboration of the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler, Nissan's Decherd, Tenn., plant will build Mercedes-Benz 4-cylinder engines for Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz starting in 2014.
Nissan and Daimler will produce Mercedes-Benz 4-cylinder gasoline engines together at Nissan's powertrain assembly plant in Decherd, Tenn. Production will begin in 2014, with installed capacity of 250,000 units per year once full ramp–up is achieved. The Decherd facility will produce engines for Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti models.
"This is the newest milestone in our pragmatic collaboration and our most significant project outside of Europe so far," said Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. "Localized capacity reduces exposure to foreign exchange rates while rapidly enabling a good business development in North America – a win-win for the Alliance and Daimler."
The collaboration marks the first production of Mercedes-Benz engines in the North America Free Trade region. The Tennessee plant's strategic location and logistics links ensure a direct supply of engines starting in 2014 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, built at Daimler's vehicle plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
"In the context of our Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy, we have decided that we will expand the production capacities required for this close to the customers. Through the strategic extension of our cooperation with Renault-Nissan we can realize near-market engine production in the NAFTA region on attractive economic terms and make optimum use of synergies arising from the cooperation," Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said. "Thus we are systematically broadening our manufacturing footprint in this important growth market."
Nissan began powertrain assembly in Decherd in 1997. Today it manufactures 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder engines for the complete lineup of U.S.-produced Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. The plant also houses crankshaft forging and cylinder block casting operations. In 2011, Decherd produced more than 580,000 engines on a covered area of more than 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square meters).
Project portfolio expands
Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance launched their strategic collaboration in April 2010, including an equity exchange that gives the Renault-Nissan Alliance a 3.1 percent stake in Daimler and Daimler a combined 3.1 percent interest in Renault and Nissan.
The collaboration began with three project pillars:
Joint smart/Twingo architecture: The project is on track for launch in the early first quarter of 2014. Two-seater smart vehicles will be produced at Daimler's plant in Hambach, France, and four-seater smart and Renault production are slated for Renault's plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.
All-new entry-level city van project for Mercedes-Benz: The project is on schedule with expected launch in late 2012. Manufacturing at Renault's plant in Maubeuge, France.
Powertrain cross-supply: The Alliance is supplying Daimler with compact three-cylinder gasoline engines to be used in smart and Twingo vehicles and four-cylinder diesel engines to be used in the jointly developed light commercial vehicle and in Mercedes-Benz's next generation of premium compact cars. Daimler will supply Nissan and Infiniti with four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines from the current and future engine portfolio as well as with automatic transmissions.
Since its founding in April 2010, the collaboration has been gradually expanded. In addition to the announcement this week about North American engine production, the companies also decided to partner on:
Platform sharing: Infiniti plans to base a premium compact vehicle on the Mercedes compact-car architecture, starting in 2014.
Zero-emission vehicles: Daimler will provide batteries from its production facility in Kamenz, Germany, and Renault-Nissan will provide electric motors for the use in electric vehicles (smart and Twingo ZE). First releases will occur in 2014.

Nissan first to place QR codes on window stickers

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:57:57 GMT

Nissan first to place QR codes on window stickers

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) recently unveiled new window stickers that are going to be present on all vehicles starting in 2013. All future window stickers will feature a Quick Response (QR) code, which can be read by the smartphone of a prospective car buyer. Nissan elected to stay a step of ahead of the new window stickers, and is the first automaker to implement QR codes in its 2012 model year lineup.

On Nissan lots right now, the 2012 Altima and Sentra display the data-rich boxes that work with the camera on your phone. Once scanned, the QR codes can provide:

Specific vehicle information, including grade walk, key features and available accessories
Video based product overviews
Image gallery
Incentive offers
Dealer inventory
Request a quote capability
Join mailing list request
Dealer location support

Nissan will continue to add the codes to the rest of its 2012 lineup

Press Release

Nissan LAUNCHES INFORMATION-RICH "ON VEHICLE GRAPHIC" QR CODE CAMPAIGN ACROSS ALL 2012 Nissan VEHICLES
– Quick Response (QR) Code Window Sticker Added to All Vehicles, Providing Enhanced Interactive Customer Shopping Experience –

Nissan today announced that it is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to offer Quick Response (QR) codes on individual vehicle window stickers across its entire lineup, beginning with 2012 models. Rolled out in June with the launch of the 2012 Nissan Altima and Sentra, the QR codes link consumers to additional vehicle information, providing a free, enhanced interactive shopping experience via the most popular web-enabled iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices.

"Nissan's new QR code program puts important decision-making information at shoppers' fingertips while on dealership lots, helping sales personnel make a more effective presentation, as well as providing customers with a 'silent salesperson' if they are shopping the lot after hours," said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Marketing, Nissan North America, Inc. "It's a true mass market effort across all products and all Nissan dealerships nationwide – part of our pledge to bring innovation to every aspect of the vehicle design, buying and ownership experience."

The Nissan "On Vehicle Graphics" system utilizes QR code technology, which is easily accessed by a large group of customers through a wide array of QR code readers.
Key information available through the QR codes includes:

Specific vehicle information, including grade walk, key features and available accessories

Video based product overviews

Image gallery

Incentive offers

Dealer inventory

Request a quote capability

Join mailing list request

Dealer location support

"Initial consumer response, based on early 2012 Altima QR code availability, has been extremely encouraging, with consumers viewing multiple pages and requesting follow-up information regarding current offers and inventory," said Brancheau. "It's one more way Nissan helps the consumer by delivering content on their terms."

Toyota, Nissan aggressively resume incentive programs

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Thu, 12 May 2011 21:36:35 GMT

Toyota, Nissan aggressively resume incentive programs

LOS ANGELES -- One day after announcing that its North American factories would be cranking up production sooner than expected, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. unveiled a series of regional cash, interest-rate, and lease incentives on most of its vehicles. Nissan Motor Co. is following suit, with an expected big Memorial Day push.

The new round of incentives also follows preliminary results, shared with Automotive News today, showing that sales at Toyota and Honda dropped sharply in early May. Sales also were weaker at Nissan during the first 10 days of the month.

At the beginning of May, Toyota's budget for incentives was barren because the automaker assumed damage from the March earthquake in Japan would continue to ravage its supply line and inventories.

But recent efforts to repair its supply chain will let Toyota regain nearly full production capacity over the next month. As a result, it is cranking up incentive spending.

Nissan's Japanese factories also will be back to near-full capacity in June, with North American factories following shortly thereafter. Nissan also is responding to a rise in U.S. inventories by raising discounts.

"Nissan is in a much healthier position than either of our two main Japanese competitors," Al Castignetti, Nissan Division general manager, wrote to dealers in a memo today.

As a result, dealers have been instructed to "'rev the Nissan engine' and grow market share," by way of a Memorial Day tent sale and the best-ever lease deals on Altima and Maxima.

Through April, Toyota's U.S. sales were up 9 percent this year, in an overall market that has climbed 20 percent, reflecting dwindling supplies of Toyota and Lexus models following the quake.

Through April, Nissan's U.S. sales were up 22 percent, with the Nissan brand up 23 percent and Infiniti up 12 percent.

Sluggish May start

But during the first 10 days of May, Toyota and Honda Motor Co. posted sharply lower sales compared with the same period a year ago and last month, according to internal and preliminary sales reports obtained today by Automotive News.

Sales were off 56 percent at the Toyota Division, down 45 percent at Lexus, down 41 percent at the Honda Division, and off 46 percent at Acura.

The sales decline at Nissan and Infiniti -- 12 percent - was not as severe, but sales at Hyundai surged 37 percent, according to the documents.

Toyota declined to comment on the confidential sales reports that show demand for some of its top-selling models fell more than 50 percent in early May.

"We can say that our supply outlook has improved significantly with this week's production announcements. As a result, based on our assessment of the market environment, we'll be offering enhanced incentives on a number of core models, including Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Avalon, Venza and Sienna," Toyota spokesman Steve Curtis said in a statement. "We believe these programs, which will be effective immediately and will vary from region to region, will keep us competitive."

Honda declined to comment on the latest 10-day sales figures.

"It's no secret that our factories have been operating at a reduced capacity for the past few weeks and the next few months will be challenging from a production perspective," Honda spokesman Chris Martin said. "We are going to face an inventory challenge going forward."

Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at J.D. Power and Associates, said today there was a significant pullback in industry-wide sales during the first five days of May compared to April.

He blamed rising gas prices, lower industry rebates, and inventory shortages, especially among smaller vehicles, for the drop.

U.S. light vehicle sales rose 18 percent in April from a year-ago.

At the beginning of May, Toyota had almost no incentives. The Toyota Navigator, the monthly bulletin that Toyota distributes to dealers about incentive programs, was only two lines long. It's normally a full page.

That has changed, effective today, with a new round of incentives that vary market to market.

For instance, in Los Angeles, the Camry has a 0 percent interest-rate deal for 36 months, a 1.9 percent interest-rate deal for 60 months, or a lease deal for $219 per month with a $1,999 drive-off payment.

Some markets won't get the same incentives. Los Angeles and the Gulf States have $309-per-month lease deals on Prius, but parts of the Midwest do not.

Similarly, Los Angeles has a 1.9 percent interest-rate deal for 60 months or $1,000 cash back on the Tundra. In Texas, there is $3,000 in package savings, a lease deal for $299 a month or $1,000 cash back on the Tundra; while Omaha has $1,000 cash back and 1.9 percent financing.

Meanwhile, Southeast Toyota is adding its own incentives to Toyota Motor Sales' contribution. The Southeast Toyota lease deal on Camry is $10 less per month than the Toyota offer, the Corolla is $22 less, Sienna is $30 less and the Venza is $60 less per month.

Source: [ Automotive News ]

RECALL: Nissan recalls 271,000 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 SUVs

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:58:04 GMT

RECALL: Nissan recalls 271,000 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 SUVs

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Nissan Motor Co. recalled nearly 271,000 older-model Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 SUVs in North America due to the chance that road salt and water could collect to cause a loss of steering, U.S. safety regulators said.

Affected in the United States and Canada are about 225,650 Pathfinders from model years 1996 to 2004 and about 45,330 Infiniti QX4 SUVs from model years 1997 to 2003.

The recall affects Pathfinders and QX4s in Canada and 20 cold-weather U.S. states where road salt is used to keep roads clear of snow and ice.

Road salt and melted snow can collect in the strut housing and may cause corrosion that could lead to difficulty in steering and even loss of steering, which could cause a crash, regulators said.

Nissan will inform customers of the recall be mid-May, and its dealers will inspect and fix the issue free of charge.

No injuries have been reported due to this issue and there is a report of an accident that was caused by it, but Nissan said that report could not be confirmed as linked to the corrosion issue.

Nissan said their tests have indicated that only a small portion of the recalled vehicles are expected to need repair.

Inspection at Nissan dealers should take a half hour to an hour but repair or replacement will take longer, said a Nissan spokesman.

Japanese automakers have lost half a million units since quake

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:57:14 GMT

Japanese automakers have lost half a million units since quake

According to Automotive News, Japanese automakers have seen their production drop by over 500,000 units since the March 11 earthquake struck the island nation. In the month since the disaster, the country's seven largest automakers lost around 516,000 units of production due to damage to production facilities and supplier delays. Toyota has been the hardest hit, with a loss of 260,000 units as of April 8. The automaker has a total of 18 domestic manufacturing facilities, and while two of those are back online, the remainder won't open their doors until at least April 18. Even then, the plants may shut down again after April 27.

Honda, Suzuki, Subaru, Nissan, Mazda and Mitsubishi are all operating on some level, though production is an on-again, off-again affair. As an example, Nissan has managed to re-open all five of its Japanese facilities, though production has been scaled back to half-pace for the time being. There's no word as to when full production will ramp up once again.

Source: [ Automotive news , autoblog.com ]

Buying frenzy on Japanese made Automobiles, Toyota Prius & Honda Fit

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:24:39 GMT

Buying frenzy on Japanese made Automobiles, Toyota Prius & Honda Fit

Americans have begun snapping up Toyota Prius, Honda Fit and other fuel-efficient models made only in Japan almost the way shoppers denude bread and milk shelves in a supermarket when a storm is predicted.

The intensity first spurred by rising gas prices has been amplified by predicted shortages of many models as the Japanese auto industry remains disrupted by the March 11 earthquake and its aftermath.

“We've gone from 60 (Priuses) in stock to 16” over the last two months, says Buzz Rodland at Rodland Toyota in Everett, Wash. A dozen are coming, “but we are told they are going to dwindle” quickly after that.

Indicating the shortages may not be brief, Honda has told dealers it’s not taking orders for any vehicles made in Japan in May. March and April orders already were delayed.

Topsham, Maine, dealer Adam Lee says the only Priuses left that dealers can get their hands on in New England tend to be the fully equipped, costlier models, which could have the effect of pushing up prices even more if buyers get past their usual resistance to the higher-price versions.

In what now seems like a stroke of genius, he says, the family’s Toyota store bought 15 used Priuses at a wholesale auction, then went back and got 15 more — at higher prices. Wholesale prices on used Priuses are up about $1,500 just in the last month, he says.

Toyota, Honda and others say they hope to resume production this week, but that could be unrealistic.

“From all the things we're gathering, including memos from Japanese companies … the potential impact of the tragedy is a bigger deal” than they are portraying, says Jesse Toprak, analyst at auto researcher TrueCar.com.

Prices of Prius and Fit, both iconic for fuel-conscious buyers and both made only in Japan, inched up immediately after the disaster, according to daily data tracked by TrueCar.com. The average price paid for a Prius in the U.S. rose $135, or 0.5%, the first four days after the March 11 quake, to $25,629. Fit was up $21, or 0.1%, to an average $17,246.

Other high-mileage cars made for the U.S. market only in Japan include the Toyota Yaris; Honda Insight, CR-Z and Civic hybrids; Mazda3; and Nissan Leaf electric car.

People seeking to quit leases early and get into new cars before there’s a shortage could be in luck. Brian Allan, general manager at Galpin dealerships in Los Angeles, says many dealers want off-lease cars for used car lots because the recession cut the number of trade-ins. When the leases were written in the worst of the recession, wary lenders assigned artificially low after-lease values. Now the cars are worth more than forecast, giving the Lease Specials holder equity toward a new car and the dealer a potentially profitable used car.

Allan says he’s telling Lease Specials customers, “‘You’re in a position to trade out early, skip your last four payments and get into a new car.’”

Source: [ USAToday ]

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:16:09 GMT

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Life is full of odd pairings that can result in new and wondrous things, such as mules, bacon flavored ice cream and Frisbee golf. Now Nissan hopes that its mating of a bulging crossover SUV with a fun-in-the sun convertible will somehow end up on that list.

At first sight, the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet may cause many auto traditionalists to shudder. It's a high-riding, all-wheel-drive, roomy droptop with a $47,200 price tag, including shipping. It's aimed at Gen Xers and Boomers.

Slim and svelte, it's not. Even though it has drawn decidedly mixed reactions on the street, Nissan executives say the CrossCab can grow on people after the initial shock wears off. "The more they saw it, the more they liked it," said Larry Dominique, vice president of product planning, as it was being shown outside the auto shows for the first time here recently. Nissan has already proved how unafraid it can be of polarizing designs when it comes to small crossovers. The Nissan Cube is basically a small box on wheels.

The Nissan Juke was lovingly referred to as "mutt-ugly" in a review in this newspaper. Nissan didn't hold back when it came to pouring its corporate heart into the CrossCabriolet. Designers and engineers completely made over the Murano crossover — itself fairly controversial on its debut in 2003 — from the windshield back. Engineers added 400 pounds of body strength and safety features to compensate for making it a convertible.

Source [ USAToday ]