Niche Nissans to Power Sales in 2009 - Cube, new Z car arrive next year as Nissan tries to maintain, improve sales

摘要

DARK SKIES IN THE YEAR AHEAD FILL THE crystal ball that Nissan North America Inc. uses to foretell its future, so the company is focusing intensively on the same strategy that rescued the Japanese auto maker several years ago in tough times: new product. Specifically, Nissan is pinning its hopes on two new models, the fuel-efficient Cube B-car and, for enthusiasts, the next generation of its Z sports car, the 370Z. Nissan already has a B-car, the Versa, but the Cube will be taller and boxier and will offer additional functionality. "This is in many respects an experiment," Brian Carolin, senior vice president-sales and marketing for NNA tells Ward's. "This is the third-generation Cube. It's been hugely successful in Japan. It's such a fun car." When reminded such an "experiment" already exists, in the form of Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion xB, he laughingly says, "This is much better."