Nissan is reconsidering luxury cars import strategy. This is crucial or else little can help the X-trail, and Teana to perform well in India in terms of sales volumes. The company is busy preparing for its compact car launch that’s scheduled for within 5 months. Despite future growth potential, the already launched cars aren’t doing too well. The reason being that importing CBU’s proves to be expensive as compared to completely knocked down kits (CKDs). This would result in cost reduction of their luxuray vehicles. At present, their premium segment vehicles are priced rather high resultant of heavy import tax.
They’re also considering retail and wholesale financing for sales improvement. A lot is yet under consideration as far as obtaining a non-banking financing license from RBI is concerned. Not too many details have yet been leaked regarding the small car launch. Their expansion plans include an additional 55 dealerships of which some would have multiple outlets within the next 2 years.
It seems their JV with Ashok Leyland has made progress too. Intially, both companies will carry out LCV production under individual brand names, and products will not be identical. Joint production will be looked into after the initial phase. Based on future Indian auto market conditions, they could consider LCV exports too. Nissan believes competition from Japanese and European manufacturers will be intense.
The replacement Nissan Teana is due very soon and more details are starting to appear. Some of these merely confirm earlier speculation (read previous article on 2009 Nissan Teana here.), but there are some interesting details that give us a clear indication that Nissan is attempting to raise the bar in the segment.
When Nissan introduced the Teana, it was a major departure from the styling of the car it replaced, the Cefiro. But more than simply redefine the face of the Japanese automakers flagship sedan, it also marked the start of a brand-wide style change.
The Teana was like a breath of fresh air in a segment that had stagnated and seemed to only have room for the most boring of designs. While the Honda and Toyota continued to play it safe with the Accord and Camry respectively, Nissan threw caution to the wind with the Teana.
Nissan were arguably even more daring when it came to the interior, and some five years on, and it still feels stylish and fresh next to more conservative rivals. So why is the Teana being updated so soon? Wouldn't a minor update be enough to keep things going for a few more years?
Actually, this should be true, but the Nissan Teana hasn't been as successful as Nissan might have expected. Nissan are currently offering 0 percent financing on the Teana in efforts to boost sales, presumably to clear stocks in time to launch the new model.
So what's new?
When Nissan showed us the Intima Concept at the Bangkok Motor Show last year, we were given an early glimpse of the form of the New Teana. And although Nissan toned things down a little, the basic lines remain on the production model.
The 2010 Teana actually has a lot in common with the outgoing model, but when compared side by side, the differences are obvious. New headlamps are much bigger and travel further back the car, although they are not as fantastic as those on the Intima concept. The rear of the car also features new tail light clusters, and although they are also distinctly different, the dynamic of the old car is retained.
Front
Rear/Side
The Nissan might not be to everyone's taste, but if you are bored with bland designs offered up by Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, then the Teana definitely offers something different. At least nobody can claim that they are copying anyone.
More luxury than you can shake a stick at
It is the interior where the biggest changes are to be seen though. Nothing looks familiar in here, and again this is praise. Nissan might be playing it a little safer this time around though, and the interior layout is a little more conventional than the outgoing model.
The center console buttons under the display are on a shelf, which is something that Nissan have been doing for years in other models. It actually works really well, and it makes sense to push down on buttons.
I'm reminded a little of Volvo when I look at these pictures, and it looks like Nissan have done a very good job in choosing materials.
One of the most interesting details to emerge however is that the luxury trim level will include a Bose 5.1 audio system. This should provide class-leading accoustics and with the smooth 2.5 litre V6 engine audiophiles shouldn't be bothered by engine noise.
CVT
While the Teana always had plenty of style to compete with competitors, it didn't really have anything substantial on paper to make it stand out. The 2010 Teana will have a few stand-out features
One is the continuously variable transmission (CVT), that should provide silky smooth power delivery when mated to the 2.5 V6, or the 2.0 four-pot. Honda and Toyota are using conventional five-speed torque converter automatic boxes.
With CVT, the gear ratio can be changed gradually, giving virtually unlimited variations in gearing. This has obvious advantages, as it allows the engine to remain in its most efficient power band more of the time, and improves efficiency when compared to a standard auto box.
Nissan is already using a CVT in the 3.5 litre Murano.
Online reports suggest that 0-100 km/h can be reached in about 8 or 9 seconds for the V6 Teana, so performance seems to be ample for this kind of car.
Siam Nissan Automobile Co., Ltd.(SNA) today announced the sales launch of the fully redesigned all new Nissan Teana flagship luxury sedan.
Marketed under the tagline of “Built for Excellence”, the Teana reflects a new dimension of hospitality, superb comfort, roomy interior and quiet ride.
Known as a pioneer of the “modern living” concept through its first generation, the Teana evolves the interior design to focus on relaxation for all passengers.
Known as a pioneer of the “modern living” concept through its first generation, the Teana evolves the interior design to focus on relaxation for all passengers.
“The all new Teana is the most sophisticated sedan ever,” said Toru Hasegawa, president of SNA. “Designed and engineered to provide Thai customers the essence of executive comfort and exceptional quality in a modern luxury sedan,” Hasegawa continued.
Teana is powered by Nissan’s highly regarded V6 2.5L engine (VQ25DE) and 2.0L (MR20DE) – fitted with Nissan’s XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and a newly developed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). Both mechanisms help control the shift timing according to the driver’s personal driving style and the driving environment with over 700 shift patterns in order to optimize both performance and fuel economy.
The dynamic feature of the Teana is the newly developed D-Platform that provides a comfortable ride and ultimate relaxation. The new Teana is lighter than its predecessor, yet delivers a high-strength platform with high stiffness. Some differences are that the high performing front suspension, new multi link rear suspension, positioning of the suspension parts (including shock absorbers) are optimized for improved body stiffness and vibration absorption.
A stylish glass roof on the Teana 250XV-V6 is the first feature in its class which enables to extend the open air feeling of the interior to the rear-seat area. The new roof is made completely of glass and incorporates a flexible opening/closing mechanism. In addition to a stylish glass roof, a special navigator will also be offered on the 250XV-V6 Sunroof Navigation.
Teana’s advanced safety technologies include:
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) including Traction Control System (TCS) functionality
- SRS airbag systems for the driver and front passenger
- SRS curtain airbag systems
- Front-seat active head restraints
- Driver’s seatbelt with double pretensioners for maximum safety
- High-strength Zone Body construction for high safety
- Three-point ELR rear seatbelts for three passengers
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) including Traction Control System (TCS) functionality
- SRS airbag systems for the driver and front passenger
- SRS curtain airbag systems
- Front-seat active head restraints
- Driver’s seatbelt with double pretensioners for maximum safety
- High-strength Zone Body construction for high safety
- Three-point ELR rear seatbelts for three passengers
Teana is offered in a choice of six attractive exterior colors, including the addition of Deep Purple Gray as an all-new Nissan color. It reflects leadership complemented by a pleasant atmosphere thanks to its outstanding and luxurious appearance that is second to none.
6 model variants consist of:
Teana Model Price
1. 200XE THB 1,179,000
2. 200XL THB 1,209,000
3. 250 XV V6 THB 1,499,000
4. 250 XV V6 Sunroof THB 1,549,000
5. 250 XV V6 Navi THB 1,599,000
6. 250 XV V6 Sunroof Navi THB 1,649,000
1. 200XE THB 1,179,000
2. 200XL THB 1,209,000
3. 250 XV V6 THB 1,499,000
4. 250 XV V6 Sunroof THB 1,549,000
5. 250 XV V6 Navi THB 1,599,000
6. 250 XV V6 Sunroof Navi THB 1,649,000
First introduced in 2004, the previous generation of the Nissan Teana won the “Car of the Year award in 2006” and “Outstanding Initial Quality Satisfaction for Upper Medium Passenger Car” by the Thailand Automotive Quality Award (TAQA) in 2007.
