PapaSmurf2k3 wrote:You know, as I was driving a B13 sentra today to replace a busted mustang, I had a mini-epiphany.
We all complain about how long the models have hung around and everything, but in truth, we only seem to complain about the new models more and more.
And then I got to wondering... were people complaining when the S13 was in its 10th year of production or something? We all WISH we had more of those cars. I just wonder if in 15 years from now, we wish Nissan kept making the same ol Z34 for a few years longer.
Then again, I could be TOTALLY wrong.
That's certainly not the '90s I remember. The '90s I remember were full of enthusiasm for the likes of the 240sx, Z, Supra, Celica, Miata, and other fun Japanese cars. The Maxima was a huge hit back then, not just some also-ran blandiferous segment-filler like today. I do vividly remember the disappointment in both owners and the media when Nissan decided to keep the Maxima's MSRP the same for the '95 redesign by cutting features (like IRS) and offering a true base model with steel wheels and cheaper trimwork. But, even then, the Altima continued to excell with a superb platform and engine, Maxima was STILL an outstanding car even in its complacency, the 240 was still unique and appreciated (and very overpriced)...
Nope, I remember an early-mid 1990s that loved Nissan, because Nissan loved building cars. Now, Nissan just loves trying to pretend they're Toyota. Different company, different times, both reflected in the models they made.
Honestly, I think part of the problem with Nissan today might be fear of what happened to the company in the late 90s. As financial troubles piled up, the company kept right on doing what they had always done for the most part (at least in terms of products). That didn't fix the financial troubles, but it also didn't necessarily cause them. I think modern Nissan might be afraid to be daring because they remember how close they came to oblivion before the all-consuming French Ennui saved them. The problem is that there's no direct link between those 3 parts of the puzzle, and I don't think even Renault and Carlos realize that.
Either way, Nissan is not what it used to be, and likely never will be again. They're certainly not alone. I don't think I'm the only NICO member who would have a very, very, very short list of cars to shop if buying brand new today. Everyone is lost trying to chase too many rabits to do anything right. Competing regulatory issues conflict with each-other and uncertain market direction and clueless buyers (e.g. do people actually LIKE crossovers or do they just buy them because that's all anyone builds anymore because the Feds have made it so much more appealing through legislation? It's an endless circle with too many variables to really control effectively.).
The problem is: a lot of these factors are the automakers' own fault. Toyota, VW, Nissan, and others have built their modern businesses on keeping their buyers as naiively loyal as possible rather than helping them understand what they want and then doing more of that. Toyota makes people want the Corolla (and every other model), rather than building the Corolla people want. Same with Nissan and basically everything they build. It's all so directionless and unguided, there's no wonder it's not leading to anything of value. Instead of building brand-common TRAITS into their cars, they're worried about whether the face looks recognizable. Instead of pushing the envelope they're cowering in the corner for fear of failure.
Look at the automotive market right now and pick out the brands that are going places. They are almost universally NOT the brands resting on their laurels. They are, in most cases, brands who are terrified of stagnation (and maybe trying to distance themselves from past failures or at least mediocrity) who are pushing boundaries and trying new and exciting things.
As a business, it's easy to just stick with what works, and what has always worked. The problem with that is you lose relevance. And what worked in the past depended directly upon the brand's relevance at the time. You can only do the same magic trick so many times before people tire of it and someone else does something new. After that, you're just old hat and people barely remember your name.
Basically, it's the first rule of doing good business: don't get lazy or it'll bite you in the a**.
