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Nissan's big idea: Small cars for U.S.
By Dee-Ann Durbin
Associated Press
DETROIT - After years in the shadow of sport-utility vehicles, little cars are getting more attention thanks to consumer concern about high gasoline prices.
Nissan Motor Co. said yesterday that it would add a subcompact to its lineup. The 2007 Nissan Versa will go on sale in a hatchback version next summer, and a sedan will follow later in the year. The Versa will have a starting price of about $12,000.
The introduction is a timely one. According to the Power Information Network, a division of J.D. Power & Associates, more consumers switched to compact or subcompact cars in August than the year before.
Small cars have long been popular in Europe and Japan, but U.S. buyers traditionally have not warmed to them, and they were not a priority for U.S. automakers, who make more money on SUVs and trucks. But automakers are now putting more serious effort into small models for the U.S. market. The Power Information Network expects the number of compacts and subcompacts on the U.S. market to grow from 33 this year to 40 in 2010.
Versa's fuel economy is estimated at 38 miles per gallon. The car has a standard 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine.
Versa cars for the North American market will be built in Aguascalientes, Mexico, starting next year, Nissan said.
By Dee-Ann Durbin
Associated Press
DETROIT - After years in the shadow of sport-utility vehicles, little cars are getting more attention thanks to consumer concern about high gasoline prices.
Nissan Motor Co. said yesterday that it would add a subcompact to its lineup. The 2007 Nissan Versa will go on sale in a hatchback version next summer, and a sedan will follow later in the year. The Versa will have a starting price of about $12,000.
The introduction is a timely one. According to the Power Information Network, a division of J.D. Power & Associates, more consumers switched to compact or subcompact cars in August than the year before.
Small cars have long been popular in Europe and Japan, but U.S. buyers traditionally have not warmed to them, and they were not a priority for U.S. automakers, who make more money on SUVs and trucks. But automakers are now putting more serious effort into small models for the U.S. market. The Power Information Network expects the number of compacts and subcompacts on the U.S. market to grow from 33 this year to 40 in 2010.
Versa's fuel economy is estimated at 38 miles per gallon. The car has a standard 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine.
Versa cars for the North American market will be built in Aguascalientes, Mexico, starting next year, Nissan said.
