Small car called Almera for launch next month
Since production levels in the auto industry have stabilised, with many companies back up to full speed, all eyes have turned to the eco-car market.
Eco-cars have been stealing the spotlight on a regular basis, and Nissan's preview of a new eco-car model that it plans to launch next month has created another buzz.
Nissan's new 4-door eco-car has a similar design to the Sunny, which is sold in China, and many consider it a bold move for the auto-maker to bring the Sunny here and redesign it for a 3-cylinder 1,200cc engine with manual or continuously-variable transmission. As well as being a sedan, the new Nissan eco-car will also boast much more interior space, perhaps matching the inner dimensions of B-segment cars.
Although the official name has not yet been announced, it will probably be called the Almera. Nissan has already hosted a test-drive event at Kaeng Krachan in Phetchaburi province, in which journalists were introduced to the new Almera, but photography was not allowed.
Sources say the new Nissan boasts a spacious interior, while the 1.2-litre engine will be beefed up so that it will not feel sluggish because of the heavier body. Average fuel economy will meet the government's 20km/litre requirement for eco-cars.
The new model will be officially launched next month, and many are wondering how it will be priced.
If the price is between Bt300,000 and Bt530,000, it will have an advantage over its sibling, the Nissan March hatchback, as well as the Honda Brio, due to its larger interior. But if it is priced from Bt400,000 to Bt600,000, then it will be competing with the Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, Honda City and Toyota Vios. Nissan insiders say the price has not yet been finalized, but it is likely that prices will be Bt20,000 to Bt30,000 higher than a corresponding hatchback model. It is expected that the Almera will be able to steal sales from B-segment cars due to its body size and affordable price.
Other auto-makers are also preparing for the arrival of the new Nissan. Mazda has just given its Mazda2 a facelift that comes with a minimal price increase of Bt5,000 to Bt15,000.
Toyota is offering special sales promotions for the Vios such as the "triple zero" promotion - 12-months interest-free installments, free first-month payment and no guarantor required.
Nissan says it will continue to assemble 80,000 to 90,000 units of the March per year for sale in Thailand and Japan. However, it needs to produce another eco-car in order to raise production at its Thai plant to more than 100,000 units per year.
