Nissan to produce new crossover based on Kicks Concept

[Rogue One]

• The official name will be Nissan Kicks
• Vehicle will be sold globally, starting with Latin America, with ongoing studies for other regions
• R$ 750 million ($192 million) investment to manufacture the model in Resende, Rio de Janeiro State
• Nissan's decision follows the concept vehicle's success during the 2014 São Paulo Motor Show and the 2015 Buenos Aires Motor Show
• 600 new jobs and second shift to be created after start of production

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Carlos Ghosn, president and chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced that the brand will produce a new crossover that will be sold globally, starting with Latin American markets from 2016.

The new model was inspired by the Kicks Concept car presented at the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show, and it will retain the Kicks name for the production version.

Following an investment of R$ 750 million ($192 million), the Nissan Kicks will be produced at Nissan's Resende Industrial Complex in Rio de Janeiro State. The facility was inaugurated in 2014 and currently produces compact vehicles March and Versa. After the start of production, Nissan expects to hire 600 new employees and start a second shift in Resende facility.

"Nissan invented the first crossover in 2003, with the Murano," said Ghosn. "Since then, we've established our global crossover leadership with vehicles like JUKE, Qashqai and X-Trail – which have been great successes. The Kicks will bring Nissan´s unique Crossover expertise to more regions."

At the unveiling, José Valls, chairman of Nissan Latin America, said that compact crossovers are very attractive to Latin American customers.

"With Nissan Kicks, we will go beyond the obvious to pack a punch with a strong design statement and the performance that our customers crave," said Valls.

Full Press Release here: Kicks Concept

[Bubba1]

yawn, yet another CVT Crossover with a beavertooth grill. To quote Jebidia from SNL

[OriginalWheelman]

Can't wait for the convertible!

[Rogue One]

Inquiring minds want to know, is this going to replace the Juke? I suspect it got the go ahead to compete with Honda's HR-V.

[Pento240sx]

I hope at least it comes with a manual transmission option.

[Bubba1]

I'm willing to wager it'll be a CVT only.

[darylzero]

It sounds like it for Brazil only