Has Nissan Completely Lost Its Mind OR Is It Onto Something?

It's been an interesting year for Nissan.

That's because the brand can't keep itself from embarking on wacky ideas and projects. Take, for example, the newly launched Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. While it may not be selling off the charts, you have to give credit where it's due: Nissan thought completely out-of-the-box and did something NO ONE else is doing.

Now when you're doing something innovative like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates that's something special. But when you create a vehicle that not too many people are buying you have to wonder if the juice is worth the squeeze.

Typically, automakers create a spin off when it wants to boost sales and expand its offerings. Although it opens buyers to another selection, Nissan hasn't improved Murano sales. In fact, last year's Murano sales were higher by more than five percent.

Here's the kicker though: by building the Murano CrossCabriolet it likely lowered the barrier of entry to other players. I am talking about brands like Audi who -- according to rumors -- is thinking about building a Q5 convertible now.

Hell, it's not like they didn't already show off the concept years ago...

With that said, now Nissan is showing us their plans to create a Juke-R that will essentially be a GT-R. I think this is an awesome idea because the Juke's styling has an awesome attitude to it, but the sensible side of me wonders "Why?"

I doubt something like it would ever be produced but then again, who ever thought a Murano convertible would make it to production.

You make the call: is Nissan innovating or has it simply lost its marbles?

2ndbimmer - 10/8/2011 12:33:09 PM

0 Boost

they've lost their mind. They still have a horrible turning radius, front end heavy with torque steer and if the road isnt smooth, yoyur kidneys start to hurt.
Also, they now recommend a service inspection of $350 every 5000 miles. Its more expensive to maintain a Nissan than any other brand!
My gf has one and I brought her car in for service and they said if I didnt do the 5000 mile inspection, the warranty would be void. I told them, "so, you are saying the cars are anticipated to start falling apart at 5000 mile intervals?" They had no response...

GTR35 - 10/10/2011 11:51:11 AM

+3 Boost

ok, you know you're full of it. there is no such thing from Nissan. the service manager simply looked at you and said "this guy looks like he'll drop $350 without knowing why". not your fault. we all know that dealer service shops are overly expensive.

PUGPROUD - 10/8/2011 7:15:38 PM

+4 Boost

the Juke GT-R was built as a one off to create some PR buzzzzzzzz...and its working !

stone - 10/8/2011 8:54:22 PM

+2 Boost

That engine should be going into a special edition Maxima, not a friggin Juke and shame on Nissan for not doing it

Lexus - 10/8/2011 9:30:05 PM

+3 Boost

I hope it a late or early April Day Joke from Nissan because they should've or need to make a Nissan GT-R version for their Infiniti brand. They better get their act together and Not make this Juke-R but make an Infiniti GT-R version instead before they lose all the momentum they've gain so far.