Nissan's product development strategies
Launching three global growth models in 2012; Altima, Sylphy and Note
2012/08/09
- Summary
- Nissan Brand: Introducing the Altima, NOTE and other large volume models in 2012.
- Infiniti Brand: Increasing number of models and expanding markets to achieve sales of 500,000 units in FY2016
- Aiming to become the leading LCV provider in the world
- PURE DRIVE：Increasing the lineup of fuel efficiency technologies
- Introducing the next-generation vehicle engineering concept, Nissan Common Module Family (CMF)
Summary
This report takes up Nissan Motor Co.'s product strategies in its "Nissan Power 88" mid-term business plan for FY2011 through FY2016.
Nissan plans to launch 51 new and redesigned models during the six years of its mid-term plan. Although it introduced only five models in FY2011, it will launch 10 models in the global market in FY2012. Many models are in the large volume core segment. Especially the Altima, Sylphy (Sentra in North America) and NOTE (the Invitation Concept in Europe) are recognized as the three global growth models. The OEM intends to increase unit sales per model, while not increasing the number of models. Although it will introduce 15 all new models in the mid-term, it will reduce 13 models by various ways including integration.
In the Nissan Power 88 plan, Nissan will also focus its efforts on expanding the Infiniti Brand and the commercial vehicle business. For both, it will enhance the product lineups and expand the sales regions.
Nissan plans to introduce 90 new technologies during the period of the mid-term plan. It will give priority to fuel-saving and safety technologies.
As for fuel efficiency, Nissan sets two key pillars: "ZERO EMISSION" and "PURE DRIVE " engine-powered eco-cars, some of which utilize hybrid systems. Under the PURE DRIVE strategy, it is strengthening the lineup of fuel efficiency technologies, which includes the downsized HR12DDR (DIG-S) engine and the new generation CVT, in order to achieve the top fuel economy in each segment.
As for the safety technology, Nissan has developed a low-cost preventive safety device using one rear camera and plans to introduce it in the global market through a broad range of models, starting with the new Altima for North America.
Nissan also plans to introduce the next-generation vehicle-engineering concept, Nissan Common Module Family (CMF), in development of new models to be released after 2013. The launch of this common module design system that transcends vehicle segments in sharing components will reduce costs through parts sharing, facilitate the simultaneous application of attractive new technologies across the broad range of segments and greatly improve competitiveness of its products, according to Nissan.
Concerning the new brands to be introduced in the entry segment in emerging markets, such as the Venucia launched in China and the Datsun to be launched in India, please refer to our report, Nissan's Strategy for Emerging Markets, dated July 19, 2012.
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