Latest news with #Aguascalientes
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Report: Nissan Stops Production of the Manual-Transmission Versa
Nissan has halted production of the manual-transmission Versa, according to a report from Automotive News. The Versa five-speed is the most affordable car on sale in the U.S. for the 2025 model year, starting at just $18,330. Fewer than 5 percent of Versas sold last year had the manual gearbox, and the 25 percent tariff on the Mexico-made sedan seems to have been the final nail in the coffin. UPDATE 5/29/25, 1:27 p.m.: Nissan confirmed that production of the manual-transmission Versa S has ended, and that production continues for the rest of the Versa lineup. In a statement, Nissan said, "We are focusing on the most popular Versa grades that deliver the strongest business performance and are in line with what customers are looking for from this type of sedan." Manual transmissions are increasingly rare in new cars, having mostly found refuge in high-performance sports cars such as the Porsche 911 or Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. Just a handful of affordable, mainstream models still let you row your own gears, and the five-speed-equipped Nissan Versa also held the special distinction of being the most affordable new car on the market. But now it appears that the manual-transmission Versa's time has come to an end, with Automotive News reporting that production of the Versa five-speed has stopped. The publication stated that a "person with knowledge of the matter" revealed that Nissan's factory in Aguascalientes, Mexico, is no longer assembling the manual-transmission Versa, although the CVT-equipped model continues in production. According to Automotive News, Nissan says the company is focusing on the "most popular" trims that have the "strongest business performance." We've reached out to Nissan for confirmation and will update this story when we've heard back. Nissan The reasons for killing off the Versa five-speed are likely twofold. For starters, very few people were opting for the Versa's DIY gearbox. Automotive News states that fewer than 5 percent of the 42,589 Versas sold last year had the five-speed transmission. That means only around 2000 Versas sold last year had the manual gearbox, already making it hard to justify keeping it around. But this tough business case for such a niche product was compounded by the 25 percent tariff on imported cars implemented by the Trump administration, which affects the Versa given its Mexican provenance. The manual-transmission Versa is the lowest-priced new car on the market for the 2025 model year, starting at $18,330, so a 25 percent tariff adds around $4500 to that price. While automakers might be able to absorb tariff costs on higher-priced vehicles while still returning a profit, the typically thin profit margins on affordable cars make such an increase far more damaging. Nissan previously projected that the tariffs could cost the automaker around $3.1 billion during the fiscal year that concludes next March. Nissan Removing the manual transmission will minimally affect sales while also simplifying the number of variants the Aguascalientes factory needs to produce, making the production process more efficient. While it's a shame to see another manual bite the dust, it's an understandable decision from Nissan, especially given the brand's recent financial troubles. With the manual transmission departing, the Versa will remain the most affordable car on the market, but its base price will likely rise to $20,130. But the Versa itself is not long for this world, expected to be discontinued within the next year as Nissan pares its sedan lineup from three models down to one. A next-generation Sentra is expected to grow in size to serve as a replacement for both the current Sentra and Altima, while the potential Versa customers will instead be directed to the $23,220 Kicks SUV. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Last Five-Speed Manual Is Dead
Manual transmissions aren't as popular as they used to be, and now, buyers will have one fewer option going forward. Nissan has allegedly ended production of the manual-equipped Versa , killing off the cheapest car you can buy in America today, and the last five-speed on the market. An unnamed source 'with knowledge of the matter' revealed to Automotive News that the Japanese automaker has halted making the Versa with the five-speed manual at its Aguascalientes, Mexico, factory. Motor1 reached out to Nissan for a comment about the alleged production stoppage, and a spokesperson confirmed "Versa S manual production will cease, while the rest of the Versa lineup continues as usual." Nissan said in a statement to Motor1 : 'We remain committed to offering a line-up that answers the evolving needs of customers and maintains Nissan's competitive edge. We are focusing on the most popular Versa grades that deliver the strongest business performance and are in line with what customers are looking for from this type of sedan.' Photo by: Nissan Nissan only offered the manual transmission on the entry-level Versa S, which starts at $18,330 (all prices include the $1,140 destination charge) for 2025. However, with that spec apparently dead, the Versa S with a continuously-variable transmission is now the brand's cheapest offering, at $20,130. With new car prices remaining at an all-time high and the threat of tariffs potentially increasing the cost of many new vehicles Nissan's more affordable models have seen an explosion in sales. The Versa was up 156 percent through the first three months of 2025. The Sentra , Altima , and Kicks , which all start at under $30,000, were also all up by wide margins. Photo by: Nissan Despite the Versa's popularity, the manual only accounted for less than five percent of the model's total sales according to Automotive News , and this could be the first sign things are coming to an end for the Versa model. There's speculation that Nissan will completely discontinue the Versa after the 2025 model year , replacing it with an electric sedan, but details are murky. That rumor started when Versa sales were struggling, but the market has changed, with the price of new cars only creeping upward. It seems that consumers do want cheap offerings, but don't want to shift their own gears. While the Versa was the last five-speed manual vehicle on sale in America, there are still plenty of six-speed options still available . Nissan Is Going Through Some Things: Nissan Might Sell Its Home to Survive: Report The Nissan Sentra Might Soon Be an American-Made Sedan Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Automotive News Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Business
- Geek Tyrant
WELCOME TO WREXHAM Renewed for Season 5 at FX; Spinoff NECAXA With Eva Longoria Sets Summer Premiere — GeekTyrant
The FX docuseries Welcome to Wrexham , which follows Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny's ownership of Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC, has been renewed for a fifth season. FX has also set a summer premiere for Necaxa , a new docuseries from the Welcome to Wrexham producers. Following their success with Wrexham AFC, Reynolds and McElhenny bought a stake in Mexico's Club Necaxa. That July, FX greenlit a Wrexham -style docuseries about the soccer team, which Eva Longoria also has a stake in. Per a new synopsis, Necaxa sees Longoria work to 'reignite the soul of one of Mexico's oldest and most storied football clubs' with Reynolds and McElhenny's help. The series follows 'a turbulent, transformational time marked by staff shake-ups, career-defining injuries and the relentless grit of a football team determined to defy expectations and deliver hope to its city of Aguascalientes, Mexico. Once a powerhouse in Mexican football, Club Necaxa has spent decades navigating instability including relocations, relegation battles and near-constant reinvention. Though its legacy has flickered in and out of the national spotlight, a passionate core of diehard supporters continues to believe, clinging to the dream that their beloved 'Rayos' will one day rise again.' Season 5 of Welcome to Wrexham will follow the club's upcoming debut in the EFL Championship after its third consecutive promotion. Season 4 is currently airing, having premiered on May 15. via: Variety
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bullfighting devotees in Mexico say recent bans harm a sacred tradition
María Teresa HernándezAssociated Press AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico — Mexican matador Diego Silveti performs a ritual ahead of each bullfight. In each hotel room where he dresses in the garment that may bring him glory or death, he sets up an altar where he leaves his wedding band and prays before heading to the arena. 'By leaving my ring behind, I'm telling God: Here's everything I am as a father, a husband, a son and a brother,' Silveti said. 'I commit to what I was born to be — a bullfighter.' He last encountered a bull in late April in Aguascalientes, a state in central Mexico where bullfighting is considered a cultural heritage. Weeks before, though, Mexico City lawmakers banned violent bullfighting in the nation's capital. While matadors there are still allowed to fight bulls, piercing their muscles with laces or running a sword through their body is prohibited under that ban. Animal rights advocates celebrated the ruling and Environment Secretary Julia Álvarez said the lawmakers made history. But matadors like Silveti, as well as fans and cattle breeders, contend this long-time Spanish tradition bears a profound significance that would be undermined if bulls can't be killed in the arena. 'What they propose goes against the essence and the rituals of bullfighting,' Silveti said. 'It's a veiled prohibition that opposes the ways in which it has been done since its origins.' The European conquerors of Mesoamerican territories in the 16th century brought along Catholicism and cultural practices that are now intertwined with Indigenous customs. Researcher and bullfighting fan Antonio Rivera lives in Yucatán, a southeastern state where bullfights reflect ancient Mayan traditions. 'In local celebrations, the roots of bullfighting are sacrificial rites,' Rivera said. 'Ancient cultures believed the gods requested sacrifices and blood fertilizes the earth.' Every year, the Yucatán peninsula celebrates about 2,000 events featuring bulls, he said. In 2021, Yucatán's Congress declared bullfighting part of its cultural heritage. It was a way to keep the ancestral memory alive, the official declaration said, and a way to honor its people's identity. 'When I see a bull, I feel an immense devotion,' Rivera said. 'It's a mirror of myself. It's like looking at a living museum containing all the rituals from our collective memory.' Instead of soccer balls, Silveti grew up playing with 'muletas' and 'capotes' — the brightly colored capes matadors use to channel the bull's charge. His father was one of Mexico's most beloved and renowned bullfighters. Until his death in 2003, fans called him 'King David' and many remember him fondly when his son is in the ring. 'No one asked us where we wanted to be born,' Silveti said. 'The love towards the bull and the feast of bullfighting has been my life and my ancestors' life.' His grandfather and his father before him were also matadors. Silveti emphasizes that his sons — now ages 6 and 2 — will decide their profession, but he would proudly support them if they followed in his footsteps. Neither the boys nor his wife watch him at the bullring, but Silveti conveys his passion in other ways. His family often visit ranches where bulls are breed. Occasionally, with his sons in his arms, Silveti bullfights baby cows. 'My youngest loves it,' the matador said. 'When he watches a bullfight, he plays with a napkin or a cloth and says 'Olé!' How is that possible?' 'The King' was no longer alive when Silveti became a professional bullfighter in Spain in 2011, but he senses his father's presence constantly. 'I feel his spirit in my soul,' Silveti said. 'On certain days, when I'm alone and focused, I try to speak to him and follow his example.' As a child, Silveti never watched his father at the ring. He stayed home with his mother and brothers. With no social media at hand to monitor live updates, they asked God to protect him. Many matadors, like Silveti, pray ahead of each bullfight. At the Aguascalientes plaza, the Rev. Ricardo Cuéllar blesses them. 'My job is to attend the religious needs of the bullfighting family,' Cuéllar said. 'Not only matadors, but also aficionados, those selling food at the arena and the bullfighters' assistants.' According to Tauromaquia Mexicana, Mexico's biggest bullfighting organization, more than 20,000 jobs depend on this tradition. One of the organizations opposed to violent bullfighting, Cultura sin Tortura, was pleased by the Mexico City measure and said it would continue its efforts elsewhere. Another half a dozen Mexican states have also imposed bans. 'We will keep advocating for the prohibition, given that no animal must be seen as entertainment,' the group said on social media. Cattle breeders, meanwhile, say they view bulls not as sources of income but as fascinating creatures they spend years caring for. Manuel Sescosse, who owns a ranch, said that breeding this specific type of bull is as thrilling as bullfighting. 'They must look good at the arena,' Sescosse said. 'Offensive but noble. They must charge and simultaneously spark a sensitivity driving the crowds to deep emotion.' The perfect bull for a fight is 4 or 5 years old and weighs between 900-1,200 pounds. According to Sescosse, each rainy season a bull is mated with 30 cows and their offspring are carefully monitored. Most receive a name. All are fed exclusively with grass and large areas are secured for them to exercise and grow strong. At the proper age, only a handful will be selected for bullfighting. 'You watch them since they are born and become calves and grow,' Sescosse said. 'That affection grows when they turn out good for a bullfight, leave a mark and are revered.' Not everyone attending bullfights is drawn to the sacred aspect, but some do find deeper purpose. Daniel Salinas says matadors follow strict norms to demonstrate their appreciation toward the bull's life, even as they end it. 'We celebrate death deriving from a rite in which a human being confronts a wild animal," he said. At Aguascalientes, when his second bull died, Silveti caressed him and respectfully closed his eyes before stepping out of the arena. 'I'm aware the bull is offering me everything he has and I'm also willing to present him with my life,' Silveti said. 'I've been gored 13 times and I've taken those hits willingly because I do this for a bigger purpose.' It rarely happens, but when a bull has a unique, artistic connection with its matador, his life is spared. Instead of a sword, he gets a 'banderilla' (a dart-like stick). Then he returns to his ranch and breeds a progeny that fans will revere. Following Silveti's performance in Aguascalientes, Spanish matador Alejandro Talavante faced one of those bulls. Centinela — pitch-black hide, four years old, 1,140 pounds — won the fans' hearts as Talavante's passes made him spin and dance. The matador aimed to kill more than once, but the crowd pleaded for him not to. And in the end, the judge indulged. Centinela gave a final, vigorous run and vanished through the tunnel while thousands cheered. It was a day of glory for him as well.
Independent Singapore
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
Italian cyclist Vittoria Bussi makes history by breaking her own UCI Hour Record
MEXICO: The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) recently announced that Italian cyclist Vittoria Bussi (BJ Bike Club ASD) has once again broken the UCI Hour Record, sponsored by Tissot. The athlete rode 50.455 kilometres in just one hour at the Velodromo Bicentenario in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This record came a day after she had to stop her previous attempt halfway through. She has now beaten her own record, which she set on Oct 13, 2023, by riding 50.267 kilometres at the same velodrome. With her impressive performances, she became the first woman to go beyond 50 kilometres in one hour. Moreover, she also held the record from September 2018 to September 2021, with a final distance of 48.007 kilometres. With her achievement, Bussi expressed: 'I can say with a smile that I contributed to the history of the UCI Hour Record for women. This record has always been really special to me as an athlete and as a person, and I hope I have transmitted to young generations and people that sport is not just an athletic performance but that athletes bring messages to the world.' She added: 'The Hour taught me that one of the most important things in life is to understand the preciousness of time in every single instant of our life.' In a social media post shared by UCI Cycling, it said: 'New UCI Hour Record presented by @tissot_official ⏱️ @vittoriabussi covered 50.455 km today at the Velodromo Bicentenario in Aguascalientes 🇲🇽, surpassing her own mark set on 13 October 2023 (50.267 km)! A phenomenal performance from the Italian rider who keeps pushing the limits of endurance! 👏' Netizens commented on the post: 'What an accomplishment!' and 'Congratulations Vittoria.' Bussi's athletic career Vittoria Bussi was a former middle-distance runner and mathematician. She only started running at the age of 27. Throughout her career, she has earned several podium finishes in the individual time trial at the Italian National Championships. Moreover, Bussi helped Italy secure bronze in the mixed team time trial at the 2020 European Championships, and she also won the opening time trial at the Tour de Feminin stage race in 2021, which happened in the Czech Republic. The athlete is now preparing for another world record in Aguascalientes, particularly in the women's 4-kilometre individual pursuit. The current record is set by Britain's Anna Morris, who ran 4:24.060 on Feb 22, 2025, at the National Track Championships. This record has been lowered several times since the women's event distance was increased from 3 kilometres to 4 kilometres last January.
