Expect More Nissan NISMO Models in the Near Future
Nissan is putting a bigger focus on its NISMO road car business.
The Japanese automaker has announced it has established a new unit called the NISMO Cars Business Unit, which is part of Autech Japan, Inc. Autech is a Nissan group company that makes converted vehicles and Nissan hopes with the combined talent along with Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. and other group companies, more appealing NISMO products can be developed in a shorter time.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Nissan Juke NISMO RS AWD Review
In the U.S., Nissan currently offers four NISMO models: 370Z, GT-R, Sentra and Juke. There are also NISMO variants for the Note and Patrol in markets outside the U.S., but Nissan plans to expand the range of NISMO road cars to cover new segments, while marketing them more globally. The company says current sales of NISMO cars is about 15,000 units a year.
Look for NISMO road cars to be shown at Nissan dealerships and showrooms and an expansion of events and activities for NISMO car owners in the near future. Nissan says the new unit will work with Nissan Motorsports International on marketing.
“As a Nissan sub-brand, NISMO further builds upon the core values of Nissan cars,” said Takao Katagiri, president and CEO of both Autech Japan and Nissan Motorsports International. “With the combined expertise of Nissan group companies, NISMO road cars will make customers enjoy Nissan cars more than ever.”
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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More badges, but fewer manual transmissions. I've been a Nissan/Infiniti owner for 25 years. Doubt that's going to continue.
I'm a 47 y/o guy, for as long as I can remember I have been a Datsun fan; growing up drooling over a 1971 1200 my uncle used to own. However, that has changed for me and my household in recent years. My wife went from a 2001 Pathfinder to a 2007 CX-7 to now a CX-5. I held on to hopes that Nissan will regain it's old day glory as the champion of fun to drive econo cars. Not cheap - just very accessible vehicles. But that has not been the case. My last fun Nissan vehicle was a 2002 Sentra SE-R Spec V -Yup approximate 180 hp and Six speed manual and LSD. Because of Nissan's reluctance and almost arrogant posture to feed their loyal customers what WE do not want (except for the GTR) I do not, cannot and will not spend a red penny out of my pockets on their products. Due to the lack of manual gearboxes that customers do want, their CVT, their laughable attempts at keeping the dinosaur USDM Frontier alive, and on top of it all, mocking their customers with NISMO fixes that consist of stickers, red paint plastic wings and splitters, I no longer consider Nissan a relevant brand. My garage now houses two Mazdas (CX-5 and a 2002 Miata SE) and a Wrangler