Brazil: Nissan starts production of new Frontier and is preparing new models
By: Rosane Gomes, Monday, August 11, 2008, AutomotiveWorld.com
Nissan has commenced production in Brazil of the new generation of the Frontier pick-up (named Navara in Europe). The current generation of the vehicle has been imported and sold in the country since 2006, alongside the previous generation of Frontier that was made in Brazil since 2002.
In July, Nissan stopped making the old model and now produces only the new Frontier in its plant in Sao Jose dos Pinhais city, in the south of Brazil. The unit is a Renault-Nissan Alliance factory and is part of the Ayrton Senna Complex that also includes a Renault car plant and an engine factory. At the same time, Nissan also ended production of the Xterra SUV that was made in Brazil since 2003.
Despite what may appear a reduction of activity in Brazil, this represents the beginning of a new phase of the company's investment in the country. "Apart from production of the new Frontier, we will start the production of two passenger cars in Brazil by the end of 2009," says Thomas Besson, president of Nissan Mercosur.
The company has not yet revealed which cars will be produced in the country, but it will be the first time that Nissan has assembled passenger cars in Brazil. Until now, all cars sold by Nissan in the Brazilian market have been imported.
The introduction of new vehicles in the country is a result of the Nissan Shift Mercosul Plan that foresees a new strategy for Brazil and investment of US$150m in the country between 2007 and 2009. "It is Nissan betting on Brazil. We are here to stay," according to Besson.
In the first half of 2008, the company sold 9,791 vehicles in the local market, an increase of 130.3% compared with the 4,251 units sold in the same period of 2007.
Published on Monday, August 11, 2008
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