Nissan “Seriously” Considers Launching US Minicar

I think Nissan needs to go back to its former and sportier image. Lately it seems a little bland. They used to stand out as being the sports based Japanese company. Now it is too much like the rest. Sure they have a Sentra thats tarted up, They need a sporty coupe that's small like the Azeal pictured here to compete with maybe like the Scion tC. Maybe a spiritual successor to the 240 SX as well...

I think it was the sporty lineup that Nissan had that put in it into near bankruptcy. They still have the Z and the upcoming GTR. I wouldnt mind a 240sx successor either. I willing to bet the minicar Nissan is suggesting is going to compete with the SMART cars coming.

Alec - You basically said what I was going to say. Unfortunately for Nissan its "sporty appeal" didn't gather sales, unlike Honda and Toyota's more "conservative" approach. But Infiniti is doing well.

The Sentra and tC have been sleeping around!

I don't think they need something to compete with tC. it just seems out of place. just make cars that all the people would want.

wow my life is now complete

it looks like a little tc, pretty nice though.

I think Nissan and Toyota need to stop listening to what stupid Americans "want". Sexy cars are good for people trying to make up with insecurities. American car manufactures always talk about hot looking cars or cars people have to have. Every time American car companies make simple, pratical cars, they sell like mad. Japan used to make simple, pratical, rock solid cars. They sold like mad. Just think about the mid 90's Nissan Sentra or the Honda accord and civic. they were simple cars, that could take a beating. Now the cars get bigger and more lavish and the sales slowly decline. The reason why Toyota is doing so well is because they have an established names and put out a good product. They have always spent more on Marketing then Nissan and Honda. Most people who buy jap cars don't care how flashy they look.

I am glad a jap car company is bringing their diesels to the US. I have been pissed that every other country but the US get's Jap diesels.

I have been arguing with Mini for some time now trying to get them to import their Diesel mini. They just won't do it. So screw them. Toyota loves their hybrids and doesn't want to bring a simple diesel to the US.

Anyone remember when AMC was formed and Romney was CEO. He made and sold small simple cars that Americans wanted. They sold like hot cakes. The company was hugely popular and profitable. Then a typical American Dumbass took over and started making more lavish cars. He turned record profits into record losses. I can't wait till there isn't a single American Car company left and Japs go back to making cars people actually want.

Why hasn't this car been launched, It seems like it can compete with the tC, all you lucky americans get the tC while us Canadians cant even own a scion, the cars didnt pass some test. But if this car was at least intro'd into the canadian market, I am sure people will buy it up seeing the void of Scion tC's here, plus under 10k its a steal for any car.

That concept car you see above is the Nissan Azeal concept. Which was grounds for the Sentra's new design. That coupe never made production, it was just something to show people Nissans cool designs, then ruin it by slapping on the Sentra name onto it and added 2 more doors.

Atomicbri,
the 1998 model ending 240SX was the sweetest Nissan I ever drove. Lightweight (2700lbs), low down torque from is K24DE engine and a sweet shifter. I wish they'd brought the 2001-04 Silvia stateside instead of killng it off. True the 300Z did help bring Nissan back, but the 240 was the purer car by far.
Glad you liked it too.