Nissan Looking for More Versas

[Link3]

I thought this was an interesting article:

Nissan Looking for More VersasWardsAuto.com, Oct 27, 2006 11:17 AM

NASHVILLE – Nissan North America Inc. says it is looking for more capacity for its new Versa subcompact, as sales are stronger than anticipated.

“I think it was after two months’ sales we had a 13-day supply in inventory, and I thought, ‘Wow, I don’t know whether we’re going to be able to get more efficient than that.’ And the very next month we had a 6-day supply in dealer inventory,” Brad Bradshaw, NNA senior vice president-sales and marketing, tells Ward’s here in an interview....

http://wardsauto.com/ar/nissan_more_versas/

[orb]

I thought the hatchback vs sedan stats were even more interesting. It seems that the market is finally warming up to hatchbacks. One question though - if Nissan anticipated higher demand for sedans than hatchbacks, why did they chose to lead with the hatchbacks? Was it just because they knew initial production would be low, so they would lead the market with the (perceived) less popular model? (meanwhile, they could let the hatchback buyers find the early production problems) I'm not complaining though - if they led with the sedan, I'd definitely be driving something other than the versa now.

[BenDupre]

Interesting article. I wonder if they have any idea how much sales $$ they're loosing due to limited availability. They've way underestimated the effect $3.00/gal gas has had on this country.

With gas closer to $2.00 currently, I wonder if demand is actually declining even though supply is still streatched.

Ben

[OKVersa]

That's interesting. However, they say there are 26, 507 Versa made in Mexico and to date, over 11,000 have been sold.

So where are the 15,000 others? According to this message board, they are in short supply (except for 4-speeds.)

There should be 15,000 Versas out there just waiting to be bought! Where are they?

[OKVersa]

I agree. If they had started with the sedan, I'd be driving a Civic sedan or a Vibe today. But I just fell in love with the Versa Hatchback!

I sure want to test drive a sedan, though!

[AZhitman]

There are NONE on our local lots...

I assume many are staying in Mexico, as I have seen several with out-of-country plates here in the Valley...

[drummernamedpat]

I travel all over South Carolina, and just within the past 2-3 weeks I have seen an increase in versas. I see versas now almost more than I see Honda fits (which suck in my personal opinion). I really don't think that the versa should be in the same class as the yaris and fit. It belongs with the rabbit/gti or the civic hatchback.

[Ever Victorious]

With gas closer to $2.00 currently, I wonder if demand is actually declining even though supply is still streatched.

This is a short, moot consideration. Gas here dropped to $2.29/gal for about 2 weeks, and has been going up quickly since then. It's now back up to $2.39/gal... and I have no doubt it will keep going up.

Here the only available models are a few S's.. mostly autos, one or two manuals. SL's are next to impossible to find and basically disappear right off the trucks as they're unloaded at the dealerships.

I truly think this is a case of Nissan underestimating the demand for their product. By a lot. Especially on the SL model, which despite its higher sticker, seems reaaaaally popular.

[OKVersa]

Well, maybe they are leaving them in Mexico. The owner of our favorite Mexican restaurant asked about my car and said they are all over down there.

[proxim2020]

I too think Nissan just completely misjudged the V's popularity. With the Yaris and the Fit being released along with the preexisting competition, Nissan didn't think they would have such a good chance at selling nearly as much as they are now. Obviously Nissan didn't pay much attention to the premarket buzz that was going about. They were focused on getting a share of the hatchback market rather than consumers countrywide. Tons of people, everyday, are moving from the SUV and large car markets for something that more economical. I don't think Nissan thought they would get such a big rush from those markets also.