Nissan news

[Dreamin]

Nissan sees tough U.S. sales, sluggish demandBy Yoshio TakahashiLast Update: 8:12 PM ET Jan 7, 2007

DETROIT (MarketWatch) -- Nissan Motor Co. (NSANY) expects tough sales conditions in the next fiscal year in the U.S. despite a plan to launch a slew of new models, the company's chief operating officer said Sunday. Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga hopes his company's planned launch of a new sport-utility vehicle, the sedan version of the Versa compact and other new models for the next fiscal year that will start in April will support sales for the next fiscal year. He spoke with reporters on the sidelines of the North American International Auto Show. The Nissan executive said that overall U.S. sales will likely fall to as low as 16.0 million vehicles in 2007 from 16.5 million in 2006. He told reporters at a round-table meeting that it won't be easy to boost sales amid such a bleak demand picture.

"If overall demand dwindles, incentives will increase" as auto makers will try to spur demand by offering generous sales discounts, he said. But "we don't want to turn around (the trend of weak demand) just to boost (sales) volume" by increasing sales discounts. Shiga said Nissan's U.S. sales for this fiscal year ending March 2007 will be nearly flat from the 1.07 million vehicles that it sold in the previous fiscal year ended March 2006. -Contact: 201-938-5400

[Bubs daddy]

It's definitely a car eat car world out there nowadays. GM and Ford have been finding that out. I don't think there have been so many different manufacturers and car models to choose from. The consumer wins big time.

I personally think the Versa is going to be a big hit here in the U.S. When I was looking for another car, I wanted something fuel efficient, roomy and, well...not a Ford, GM or Chrysler. Geez, that is sad and I know that the domestics make some good cars now but the fit and finish on Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas, Subaru and Nissans in general are very good. The Hyundai's are getting to be very high quality.

I looked at a Cobalt. Yeesh. Focus. No thanks. The cheap interior materials, the whole package just didn't impress me. The Honda Fit I couldn't even look at. None available anywhere where I live. The Civic, nice car and I seriously considered it, but it was much more expensive.

I looked at Corolla, nice car. But for the same money, the Versa offers side air bags, cruise, CD changer, CVT, ABS, and more. The Versa had a high quality look and feel for an entry level car.

Anyway, I digress. Yes, it will be a tough sell in the car business this year. But I see a whole heckuva lot of small cars out there now. Gasoline prices are getting too volatile and the smaller cars are getting much better.

Here's hoping Nissan has a good year.