2012 Nissan Tiida/Versa (B02D) will be 5-door hatch only.

[Andrews Chalmers]

Yay!

Nissan is listening to its customers, and getting rid of the half-assed Tiida Latio. The new entry level sedan will be the next generation Sentra (L12F).



Now if only they'll offer M9R and/or MR16DDT in America!

[kc5f]

That's interesting, because I was just in Mexico City for ten days, and I'd say at least 80% of the numerous Tiidas I saw were sedans. They must be less popular than the hatch in other countries.

[Andrews Chalmers]

They must be less popular than the hatch in other countries.

I think it is largely a function of economics. The sedan is just priced cheaper, and for many people the lack of hatch flexibility is an acceptable compromise.

Nissan also shot itself in the foot because it couldn't market the Versa hatchback with many higher-end options because it'll begin to price cut the Sentra. This business decision was wise IMO, eliminate two models under the same name, and built two differently styled entry level vehicles with similar mechanical underpinnings (instead of three, with a half-assed take a buzz saw to a Tiida & install a boot approach).

[kc5f]

That all makes sense, as an internal marketing decision. But your initial comment was that "Nissan is listening to its customers". Unless its customers are saying they want to pay more to get either a Tiida hatch or a Sentra/Tsuru, it doesn't sound that way. Otherwise, why would customers be going for the cheaper "acceptable compromise" in such large numbers?

[Andrews Chalmers]

That all makes sense, as an internal marketing decision. But your initial comment was that "Nissan is listening to its customers". Unless its customers are saying they want to pay more to get either a Tiida hatch or a Sentra/Tsuru, it doesn't sound that way. Otherwise, why would customers be going for the cheaper "acceptable compromise" in such large numbers?

Nissan is dropping the price of the Sentra.

[NissansinTexas]

I'm just glad Nissan isn't abandoning the hatchback as so many other makers have done. There is a lot to be said for hatchbacks and I appreciate mine. I appreciate more the fact that Nissan still gives you a choice.