Nissan will unveil a new key model for the Brazilian market at the upcoming Sao Paulo International Motor Show (24 October – 4 November). The model was designed by Nissan’s San Diego, California Design studio in collaboration with Brazilian designers and under the lead of Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Nissan. The new model marks the company’s first car created specifically for Brazil, to be built in Brazil.
“I’m so excited because I will be in Sao Paulo to reveal the concept car. It is the birth of something special for Nissan and it will be a hugely significant milestone in our plans for Brazil,” said Nakamura.
Brazil’s largest volume segments are compact hatches and compact sedans. Nissan is aiming for a 5% share of the Brazilian market by 2014. It plans to launch eight new models in the country and expand its dealer network from 153 outlets to 239 by 2016.
Nissan has been making models locally at a plant in São José dos Pinhais, Parana, since 2002. It is currently building a new plant in Resende, in Rio de Janeiro, which is scheduled to start production in 2014.
In September, Hyundai launched a new, Brazil-only model, the HB20 compact hatchback. Sedan and crossover versions of the HB will follow next year, and all models will be built at the company’s Piracicaba factory.
Volkswagen, Fiat and General Motors currently dominate the Brazilian vehicle market, but they are facing increased competition from other smaller players. From 2000 to 2011, the Brazilian ‘Big-3’ lost over 19 points in market share. Looking ahead, their share is expected to continue to shrink.
