NISSAN XTERRA

Rumors? We Got Them!

August 21, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

No automotive journalist worth his/her salt is going to promote a rumor as a bona fide story. There is too much to lose reputation-wise by cooking up a story and going with it.

That said, we’ve heard our share of rumors or have enough information about a future product or company plans to occasionally speculate what may be on the horizon. That forms a good basis for following a story as it develops.

We’ve all followed rumors these past few years about what the next-generation Corvette (C8) might look like and put up with endless teasers for the Toyota Supra (what a long wait). Both models are here and we’re glad the speculation has been put to rest. But other rumors are in the wings and this time we’re sharing a few of the stories we think have merit.

5 Rumors We’re Following

1. Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer – It isn’t a secret Jeep plans to push beyond the Grand Cherokee to tackle the full-size SUV market. We wondered if Ram would get its own Tahoe/Suburban fighter, but it appears that they won’t. Instead, Fiat Chrysler’s SUV brand will see at least one new model next year. Will it be the Wagoneer, the Grand Wagoneer, or both? Our best guess is that a Wagoneer with an assortment of engine choices rivaling the Ram 1500 will debut first. It’ll cover the $55-$75,000 range just as models from Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC do right now. However, we doubt Jeep will stop there. A grand variant replete with real wood pore trim, the finest leathers, carbon fiber embellishments, and cutting-edge tech and safety features seems likely. This one will push the Jeep’s price above $100,000 and take it all to the Range Rover.

2. Ford Raptor Extraordinaire – You must know that Ford isn’t about to cede the Raptor’s dominance quietly to Ram when the 1500 TRX debuts. The hotted-up Ram looks every bit the “apex predator” the brand claims it is. After all, when a Hellcat engine inspires a truck, you expect it to do great things. We think a future Raptor will challenge the TRX with the supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine powering the Mustang GT500. Rated at least 700 horsepower, the engine was supposed to serve as the “send-off” for the current-generation Raptor, but that’s not happening. Instead, when the new Raptor debuts in the next year, the TRX’s stay on top of the off-road prowess world may very well prove a brief one.

3. The Camaro gets an extension – Ever since the Chevrolet Camaro returned, it has offered a solid entry in the sport coupe segment. But in recent years, sales have fallen, even with an updated model following in 2015. The Mustang continues to outsell the competition, but the aged Dodge Challenger now outsells the Camaro. And the Challenger does this without a convertible option. Rumors that the Camaro would not survive beyond 2023 began surfacing last year. We think these rumors have merit as it is difficult to justify building a vehicle that sells only 60,000 units annually. But before you think the Camaro will once again be canceled, we’re not convinced that it will. We think a future model based on the same architecture underpinning the Cadillac CT4/CT5 is possible. We also think that once more Corvette models debut, a Cadillac variant will reappear. There’s more of a connection between Cadillac and Chevrolet on the performance side than you may realize. Think: shared cost savings.

4. Return of the Nissan Xterra – An all-new Nissan Frontier is waiting in the wings. This year, we got a taste of the powertrain in the 2020 Frontier and loved it! Nissan’s Frontier is a solid model and we think the new truck will present a formidable challenge to the competition, including the Toyota Tacoma. What’s missing is an SUV variant. Just as the Tacoma and 4Runner share the same platform, the Frontier and Xterra once did as well. We know Nissan is looking closely at bringing back the Xterra just as Armada and Titan sales wither. Nissan might kill off its full-size models and keep with the volume sellers instead. The Frontier has a proven track record and a revived Xterra would benefit from that.

5. More mergers, additional acquisitions – COVID-19 has certainly taken a hit on the automotive industry. Sales plummeted, billions of dollars have been lost, and consumer sentiment is uncertain. We know Fiat Chrysler and the PSA Groupe are set to conclude their merger in 2021. But that won’t be the last one. Ford is an attractive merger candidate and profitable too – its AI unit is propping the company, although its stock price remains quite low. We think GM will widen its partnership with Honda to produce EVs, but we don’t expect the two companies to merge. But if the Chinese manufacturers begin selling cars in the U.S., we think a lot will change. Companies like Hyundai-Kia may rethink their independence and form a strategic alliance or an outright merger to remain strong enough to survive long term. Our best guess is that any one of the smaller emerging EV manufacturers such as Lucid, Rivian, and Bollinger Motors will eventually be absorbed. But not Tesla.

What’s Next?

How about you? What rumors have you heard? Some may sound outlandish but often the talk is based on substantive information that has been discussed before. We think one of the biggest blockbuster deals will be announced next year with the Volkswagen Group as one of the key players.

Nissan Trucks: Moving Forward

September 27, 2019 by admin 4 Comments

When it comes to Nissan trucks, you’ll find three models. A fourth may be on the way.

The Nissan Motor Company is a strong player in the truck market, which is comprised of traditional body-on-frame pickups and utility vehicles. Add in its line of large vans and this automaker is a noteworthy force in the commercial sector.

Competition, though, is fierce as GM, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, and Toyota, put up some stellar models. Honda also has its Ridgeline crossover truck and we’re expecting Hyundai and Volkswagen to soon jump in as well. Outside of its NV vans, there are three Nissan models which drive customers to showrooms. We’ll also mention a fourth that’s likely to return.

Nissan Trucks, Not Crossovers

To keep things simple, crossovers and other unibody models are not part of this discussion. Instead, our focus is on the models offering true four-wheel-drive excitement!

1. Nissan Titan, full-size pickup truck.

Launched in 2004, the Titan has always trailed the Toyota Tundra among the “also-ran” trucks, which are not Ford, Chevrolet, Ram, or GMC. In 2017, the Titan XD rolled out, followed by an all-new Titan itself in 2018. Sales increased five-fold over 2015, as Nissan expanded the line to include Single Cab, King Cab (extended), and Crew Cab body styles. A 5.6-liter V8 engine powers all models, although a Cummins 5.0-liter turbo-diesel V8 is optional with the Titan XD.

For 2020, Nissan will drop the Regular Cab and the Cummins option. Furthermore, this model receives a facelift, an updated gas engine, and an all-new 9-speed automatic transmission. Other changes include new grilles and lighting elements, a 7-inch instrument panel screen, and a newly available 9-inch touch-screen display. Expanded cubby space, an available panoramic sunroof on the crew cab, and optional wireless charging elevate this model.

Despite cutting back on the body styles and engine offerings, Nissan’s new focus should help this manufacturer do a better job targeting its core buyers. Still, we’re not sure if Nissan will improve upon its average 50,000 annual sales with the refreshed model.

After a 15-year run, the current-generation Nissan Frontier will likely be replaced.

2. Nissan Frontier, midsize pickup truck.

The Nissan Frontier is an old truck. In fact, it was last updated in 2005, which is 15 years ago. Typically, manufacturers overhaul their trucks every five or six years, so the current Frontier is way behind the curve.

And yet, its old design isn’t hurting sales as Nissan can count on about 75,000 units sold each year. That’s after reaching the bottom in 2009 when just over 27,000 units were sold, which is also the year industry sales collapsed.

The good news is that a new Frontier is on the way. The bad news is that we don’t know when it will arrive. That said, we’re forecasting a new Frontier to roll out in 2020 as a 2021 model, a vehicle based on an updated version of the current platform. That’s the same strategy Toyota has used by the Tacoma, which is also the segment’s best-selling pickup truck. Besides including the latest tech features, the 2021 Frontier will have a more powerful V6 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. We expect the six-speed manual gearbox to return.

There are two other changes we think Nissan will include, although they aren’t confirmed. The first one involves tapping NISMO to build a version to take on the Tacoma’s TRD line. This makes perfect sense, especially if you want to emphasize the truck’s off-road chops. The second one involves offering a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which is a Cummins design. This would allow Nissan to maintain its relationship with Cummins, while offering an engine option few competitors have.

The Nissan Armada may see significant changes for 2021.

3. Nissan Armada, full-size utility vehicle.

The Nissan Armada is a bigly SUV, which competes with the likes of the Toyota Sequoia and Chevrolet Tahoe. Oddly, it isn’t underpinned by the same platform supporting the Titan. Instead, Nissan utilizes a separate platform which supports the Japanese-based Nissan Patrol.

Sales of the new Armada more than doubled in 2017, before pulling back slightly in 2018. Nissan should average a respectable 30,000 units sold annually moving forward. And just as the Titan received a new transmission for 2020, we expect the 2021 Armada to include similar changes.

This Frontier-based Xterra has its share of off-road thrills.

4. Nissan Xterra, mid-size utility vehicle.

We last saw the Nissan Xterra in 2015, which is a midsize utility vehicle based on the same platform underpinning the Nissan Frontier. Nissan discontinued this traditional SUV due to declining sales, poor fuel economy, and mandated safety updates, which made carrying out an update prohibitive.

Well, with a new Frontier on the way, might we see the return of the Xterra? That’s possible, especially since Toyota’s 4Runner continues to sell well, a model based on the Tacoma’s frame. Ford will soon have the Bronco, and we’ve always thought GM might do something along the same lines.

Nissan already has such a model in place…in China. Dubbed the Nissan Terra, this SUV is slightly smaller than the Pathfinder, but larger than the previous Xterra. Since it already exists, Nissan would have to do very little to prepare this vehicle for the U.S. market. And if that’s Nissan’s plans, we may see an all-new Xterra arriving after the Frontier, perhaps in early 2021 as a 2022 model.

Might this Asian-market Terra make it to the U.S. as the Xterra?

Nissan Trucks: It’s a Wrap

So, there you have it. Our take on Nissan trucks and the company’s place in the U.S. market. Most definitely, many factors play into a manufacturer’s decision to build or update any model. Beyond the Titan, the three other Nissan models are heavily influenced by what Nissan builds elsewhere, even if there are some differences between models.

See Also — Highlights of the 2019 Nissan XD

Photos copyright Nissan Motors.

Say Good-Bye to These Models

December 25, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

2015 will signal the end for several models. A few will disappear in 2016 and at least two models are poised to return after a brief hiatus.

2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan. — The 2015 Hyundai Genesis will morph into the 2017 Genesis G80.

Every year, manufacturers retire models, including some that won’t be replaced. The retro Ford Thunderbird left us in 2005 after a four-year run; the Saturn Sky also lasted for four years, then was canceled as GM killed the brand in 2010.

Over the coming year and in some cases within the coming week, a number of models will drive off into the sunset for the last time. The following is our list of models that won’t see the 2016 model year or will be canceled before the 2017 vehicles are released.

1. Hyundai Genesis and Equus — Say it ain’t so! Yes, the two largest and most luxurious models in the Hyundai product line are on the way out. The good news is that both sedans will be replaced over the next two years by a new “Genesis” line of models, known as the G80 and G90, respectively. Hyundai is now “all in” on a luxury brand as it plans to deliver new models to compete with BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz under the Genesis marque.

2. Jeep Compass and Patriot — Jeep has not one, but two compact models to draw in customers. Both models are based on the retired Dodge Caliber platform and have sold very well, especially over the past year. However, Jeep plans to drop both models when a new compact SUV arrives late in 2016. Word has it that the new model may retain the name of one of the outgoing vehicles. Jeep hasn’t said which one will survive, but we’re thinking Patriot has a better chance than Compass.

3. Lincoln MKS — Based on the same platform underpinning the Ford Taurus, the Lincoln MKS had European aspirations — especially in all-wheel drive garb — but it never measured up. The MKS has been a perennial underseller since its introduction and will be retired next year to make way for the Lincoln Continental. The Continental is based on a stretched Ford Fusion platform, but it has the style, amenities, performance and the name cache that no three-letter Lincoln nomenclature can match.

4. Mazda Mazda5 — Mazda seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to vehicle manufacturing, presenting winners with its Miata MX-5 roadster, Mazda6 midsize sports sedan, and the CX-3, a compact SUV. Like other manufacturers, minivan or small multi-purpose vehicle offerings such as the Mazda5 have struggled. That’s too bad because when it comes to SUVs, Mazda has found much success. Still, the minivan segment is barely hanging on and for those customers who want one, models such as the Kia Sedona, Chrysler Town & Country, and Toyota Sienna offer more room and better utility than does the retiring Mazda.

5. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo — Mitsubishi fans have been in an uproar ever since this manufacturer killed off its performance division in 2010. The writing was on the wall five years ago: the Lancer Evolution would eventually be retired. That retirement is here, following a 2016 refresh of the Lancer. Although the mainstream compact Lancer sedan will continue for the foreseeable future, its performance variant has been nixed.

6. Nissan Xterra — Remember the Nissan Xterra? You may have thought that this model had already disappeared, but it has been hanging around in the face of declining sales. As the last body-on-frame midsize SUV produced by this manufacturer (the Pathfinder transitioned to a crossover in 2014), it is going the way of all other models except for the Toyota 4Runner. Like the 4Runner, the Xterra is based on the brand’s midsize truck. Quite simply, Nissan didn’t want to invest additional monies propping up a model that has long lost its mass appeal.

7. Toyota Venza — Toyota, along with Honda experimented with the wagon-like crossover segment, but soon realized the market wasn’t there. Maybe both manufacturers should have considered the Chrysler Pacifica, another tall wagon that was canceled in 2008 following a five-year model run. Both the Toyota Venza and the Honda Accord Crosstour are gone after 2015.

A Look at the Rest

Other models being terminated include the Land Rover LR2, Jaguar XK, the Mini Roadster and Coupe, and the Volkswagen Eos. The Land Rover Defender is also on that list, but a new model should return after a two-year hiatus.

As far as buying a discontinued model, you have a few things to consider:

1), Such models typically are heavily discounted in a bid to clear dealer lots to make way for new vehicles; and

2) As long as the manufacturer maintains a market presence, obtaining parts is not an issue. However, keep in mind that some models may cost you more if the vehicle is imported and the discontinued model is scarce in the first place.

Lastly, if you buy a discontinued model, the new vehicle warranty is still in effect. That’s the peace of mind consumers want as the bumper-to-bumper, powertrain, and rust warranties remain in effect.