Is Nissan planning on slotting a car between this and the Altima? It looks awfully downmarket in comparison to the outgoing Sentra.
#1
All-New 2007 Nissan Versa to Be Built in MexicoSept. 28, 05
– Plant Capacity to Increase 70%, Creating Approximately 4,000 Local Jobs –
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (Sept. 28, 2005) – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced models of its all-new Nissan Versa hatchback and sedan for North American delivery will be manufactured at its plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, starting in 2006.
The proven facility, which currently builds the Nissan Sentra for the U.S. market, will expand capacity from 200,000 units today to 350,000 units in 2007, an increase of 70%. Approximately 2,000 direct jobs will be created at the plant, resulting in 2,000 additional jobs among local suppliers.
“We have great confidence in the production efficiency and quality at the Aguascalientes plant,” said Dan Gaudette, senior vice president for North American manufacturing and quality assurance at Nissan. “Considering the plant’s track record and the significant upgrades that have been recently made, the Versa should have a successful launch.”
The 2007 Nissan Versa increases Nissan’s participation in the entry-level segment and is expected to have a MSRP starting around $12,000. The name Versa reflects the versatility of the vehicle, offering plenty of room for people and everything they need to support an active lifestyle. Outside the U.S. and Canada, the car will be called Tiida.
The Aguascalientes plant has increased its installed capacity to produce 60 vehicles per hour (one car per minute). With this expanded capacity, Nissan Mexicana will increase its exports to North America from 130,000 units in 2005 to 170,000 in 2006. In the year 2007, the Aguascalientes plant’s current exports will double to 290,000 units.
Nissan Mexicana was the base for Nissan’s first operation outside Japan when it was established 44 years ago. The Cuernavaca plant started operations in 1966 and production began at the Aguascalientes plant in 1982.
In preparation to meet the North American market’s quality requirements, Nissan is investing $800 million through 2006 to bring the latest manufacturing technology to the plant. In addition, the investment will fund Nissan Mexicana’s ongoing commitment to production processes that are friendly to the communities and the environment in which their facilities are located. The plant received the Environmental Excellence Award from the Mexican Government in 2004. Plant improvements include:- Intelligent multi-model flexible line for assembling bodies of up to four models with eight different versions simultaneously using 353 new-generation robots.
- Adoption of NIMS (Nissan Integrated Manufacturing System), which makes it possible to assemble a wide range of models in sequence and gives the flexibility to assist Nissan dealers as they receive orders.
- Automation in the paint line, which was increased with 25 high-efficiency robots for paint transfer as well as the use of technology for low-solvent materials.
- Integration of suppliers inside the plant’s complex to improve the materials supply chain, enabling the delivery of materials in sequence at the assembly point.
- Adoption of the ICON system, an information system that links the North American region, enabling Nissan Mexicana to speed delivery of Versa orders to customers.
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at http://www.nissanUSA.com and http://www.infiniti.com.
Originally Posted by alleghenyman
#2
Is Nissan planning on slotting a car between this and the Altima? It looks awfully downmarket in comparison to the outgoing Sentra.
#3
There will be a new Sentra next year. There will also be a new Altima, and an all-new interior for the Maxima.From AutoNews:
Quote » Nissan expands lineup with Versa small car Redesigned Sentra, Altima due for '07 model year
Dale Jewett
DETROIT -- Nissan North America Inc. will expand its U.S. lineup next year with a small hatchback and sedan named Versa. The automaker is spending $800 million to upgrade its plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to build the cars for North America.
The Versa uses the platform from the Nissan Tiida sold in Japan. Nissan will use the Tiida name on cars sold in Mexico.The Versa, which is smaller than the Sentra, is expected to have a base price of about $12,000. It will be equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at about 120 hp. Mated to an optional continuously variable transmission, Nissan says the powertrain should deliver a combined city-highway fuel economy rating of 38 mpg.
The hatchback will go on sale in early summer 2006 as a 2007 model, Nissan said. Sales of the sedan will begin in late 2006.
The addition of the Versa will give Nissan a vehicle to compete in the growing B-car segment in the United States. That segment includes the Scion models from Toyota Motor Corp. and the upcoming small car from Honda Motor Co., based on the Fit and Jazz models sold in Japan and Europe. The Honda car is expected to go on sale in the spring, about the same time as the Nissan Versa hatchback.
Nissan said it also will deliver a redesigned Sentra and Altima and restyled Maxima for the 2007 model year. The Sentra also is built in the Aguascalientes plant. The Altima and Maxima are built in Smyrna, Tenn. Some Altimas also are built in Nissan's plant in Canton, Miss.
Production boost in Mexico
Capacity at the Aguascalientes plant will grow from 200,000 units to 350,000 units with the addition of the Versa. Nissan says it will add 2,000 jobs at the plant. It expects that suppliers will add another 2,000 jobs. Nissan is boosting the production rate at the Aguascalientes plant up to one car per minute.
Changes at the Aguascalientes plant include the addition of a flexible body line that can handle as many as four models with eight variations, more automation in the paint shop with the addition of 25 robots, and giving suppliers production space at the plant site to deliver components in sequence.
Nissan expects to increase exports from Mexico to the United States and Canada from an expected 130,000 units this year to 170,000 units in 2006.
Nissan says exports from the Aguascalientes plant will grow to 290,000 units in 2007, double the number of exports today. The plant opened in 1982.
Nissan also has an assembly plant nearby in Cuernavaca, Mexico, which builds the Tsuru and Sentra. It opened in 1966.
You may e-mail Dale Jewett at djewett@crain.com
#4
Is this based on a current Renault?
#5
Quote, originally posted by Oliver@triplezoom » Is this based on a current Renault? Yep--the Megane.
#6
Weird. Is the redesigned Sentra to be Megane-based too?
#7
Dunno.
#8
Ah. Well at any rate, I feel much better about this car now that I know where it fits. I never could reconcile the Tiida's looks with it being (what I thought was) a Sentra replacement.
It's probably too much to hope, then, that the Sentra arrives as nothing more than a rebadged Megane.
#9
I like its chances as it seems to be roomy and has some of the neat features like CVT.
:snore
#10
Im sure the vehicle shown is a preproduction model of the US/CAN version, even though it currently is in production for other parts of the world but if you look at the HiRes pictures here http://www.nissannews.com/mult...shtml you will notice that the interior of the Versa shown is actually quite rough. The passenger side vent is broke, the lettering on the radio is worn off, and the covering on the dash has wrinkles and has bubbles underneath it near the gauges. Just to name a few.I think i would have found a better vehicle to take press photos of but thats just me.
The Versa would look better to me if everything on the interior wasnt the same color and if the seats were not the same material as the carpet.
1998 Tacoma
2010 Corolla
#11
The website for Versa is up nowhttp://www.nissanusa.com/conte....html
Some interesting options there as well as six speed manual or CVT. Looks better with wheels instead of those covers.
:snore
#12
Quote, originally posted by Swallow Doretti » Yep--the Megane.
To correct myself and everyone thinking that this is based on Megane. Its based on B platform which supports Renault Clio among other cars. Here's the link with page 9 providing the list of cars on B and C platform. C platform supports Megane and upcoming Sentra.
:snore
#13
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