| Sneak preview | 2010 Nissan small car |
A new small Nissan will join the company's range in 2010 alongside the next generation Micra, which goes on sale in the same year. The new supermini-sized car will be based on the next Micra platform but is likely to be a sportier coupe model judging by the sketch released by Nissan.
Micra production will cease at the Sunderland plant and shift to Chennai in India, but Nissan has promised the new model will replace the Micra to create more jobs in the north east.
During a visit to the factory by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the PM said: "Today's announcement that a brand new car is to be designed and built in the UK is another boost to our industry and builds upon Nissan's recent commitments to increase investment and jobs at its record-breaking Sunderland plant."
The sketch of the new model is reminiscent of the
Mixim concept that Nissan showed at various motor shows in 2007. This concept was based on the existing Micra platform and clearly shows that Nissan intends to build a small, sporty car.
Alisdair Suttie - 4 Jun 2008