Latest news with #:Nissan
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Nissan Micra makes comeback as restyled EV-only Renault 5
Earmarked predominantly for Europe means the Micra is unlikely to return to South Africa anytime soon. Modelled on the Renault 5, the Micra will now, solely, be offered as an EV. Image: Nissan Teased as far back as 2022, with comparatively little having emerged since then, Nissan has resumed its Re:Nissan restructuring strategy with the unveiling of the all-new sixth generation Micra. New approach Billed as a key model for the struggling marque, the Micra signals the biggest departure of any previous generation in that it adopts an electric-only powertrain sourced from alliance partner, Renault. ALSO READ: All-electric Nissan Micra successor teased Effectively a restyled take on the new Renault 5 E-Tech, the Micra retains the same dimensions, but incorporates a model unique appearance in that the bonnet, 18-inch alloy wheels, circular LED daytime running lights that 'wink' when the doors are unlocked and front bumper are all new. Rear has been restyled to indirectly resemble that of the AMC Pacer. Image: Nissan Retaining the same side profile as the Renault, complete with the hidden rear door handles recessed into the C-pillar, at the rear, the almost AMC Pacer-inspired redesign comprises a new bumper, circular light clusters, a central LED bar with a lettered Nissan script, and a slightly bigger window with a U-shaped design. Inside Inside, the interior, sans the Nissan badge on the steering wheel, is near identical to that of the Renault as the column shift selector has been carried over, along with the pair of 10.1-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster. Sans the Nissan badged steering wheel, the interior has been carried over largely unchanged from the Renault 5. Image: Nissan Offered in a choice of three seat upholstery options, notable standard spec, depending on trim grade, consists of ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a drive mode selector with four settings – Eco, Comfort, Sport and Perso – and Nissan's latest ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving system. Goodbye combustion Sharing the 5's AmpR platform means not only the same dimensions and boot space – 326-litres to 1 106-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded – but also choice of battery packs, of which two will be available. Boot space is rated at 326-litres with the rear seats up. Image: Nissan Entrusted with moving 1 400 kg, the entry-level 40-kWh battery develops 90kW/225Nm, which translates to a claimed range of 308 km and DC charging capability up to 80 kW. With the bigger 52-kWh battery, the Micra produces 110kW/245Nm, which Nissan says will lead to a range of 408 km between trips to the plug. Tasked with moving 1 524 kg, the 52-kWh Micra supports DC charging up to 100 kW, and will require a waiting time of 30 minutes from 15-80%. Buyers will have an eventual choice of three upholsteries. Image: Nissan In both cases, the Micra supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) bi-directional charging, although like the Renault, no official figures were announced. Not for us Heading to Europe later this year with pricing to the announced then, the Micra is not expected to make its return to South Africa anytime soon as it has been earmarked mainly for the Old Continent. NOW READ: It is back: Renault 5 finally revealed as a retro-styled dedicated EV
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Nissan considering closing factories in Japan, Mexico, South Africa and Argentina
Last week Nissan announced a staggering ¥670.9 billion (A$7.1bn) loss, and to help turn things around the company announced it would close seven factories, leading to fevered speculation as to which plants would get the chop. According to the Re:Nissan turnaround plan announced last week, seven unnamed factories will be closed by March 2028. Sources have told Reuters the company is currently considering axing two factories in Japan, closing its plants in South Africa and Argentina, removing the factory in India from its books, and consolidating its manufacturing facilities in Mexico. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The two Japanese factories living under the shadow of the axe are Oppama and Shonan. Oppama has a capacity of 240,000 cars per year, currently employs around 3900 people, and produces the Note and Leaf. Shonan is a joint venture commercial vehicle plant, of which Nissan owns half, with an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles. It employs around 1200 people, and produces the NV200 Vanette, Caravan, and AD Wagon. Should these two factories be swept away in Nissan's tide of red ink, it will leave the company with three factories in its homeland: Tochigi, and two in Kyushu. If it does close factories in Japan, it will be the first such move since 2001, when the company closed its Murayama plant under the direction of then-CEO Carlos Ghosn. Supplied Credit: CarExpert According to the news agency, Nissan responded to its report and those by Japanese outlets by clarifying that it had previously committed to consolidating Latin American production of the Navara ute to one of its factories in Mexico – the ute is currently made in both Mexico and Argentina as well as Thailand (for Australia). The automaker also pointed out that Renault had committed in March this year to buying out Nissan's stake in their joint venture factory in India. This plant currently makes the Nissan Magnite and X-Trail, as well as the Renault Kwid, Kiger and Triber. Nissan has confirmed its factory in Sunderland, UK, which produces the Qashqai, Juke and Leaf, is safe from the gallows. It's likely the company's plants in the US will be saved too. Aside from closing factories, Nissan's latest recovery plan will see it cut 20,000 jobs by March 2028, seek efficiencies from its R&D department, and temporarily pause development of models due after March 2027. MORE: Everything Nissan
