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?