NEXT-GENERATION
NISSAN MICRA
~ autocar.co.uk
The
next generation of the Nissan Micra will aim to win back customers with
much-improved interior quality, according to the firm’s executive vice-president,
Trevor Mann.
The
current Micra has suffered because of poor perceived quality. However, Mann
believes its successor - due next year and based heavily on the Nissan Sway
concept from this year’s Geneva motor show - will be more worthy of the Micra
name.
Although
he said production of the car could, in theory, return to Nissan’s UK plant in
Sunderland, he defended its current base in India.
“I
don’t think you can blame India for the perception of quality,” he said.
“You’ve got to blame the people who defined the product. The Micra’s not like
that because it’s made in India. We have listened to feedback and I think you
will see a big difference [in the next one].
“As
for Sunderland, it was always a plant that was designed to be flexible. And it
can make Micra. The debate is whether it can make it and make sense.”
Mann
also said the Micra was likely to grow for its next incarnation - and this
could open up room for a new, smaller Nissan city car.
“It’s
always a possibility,” he said, “but I think if you look at that segment, there
are still not huge volumes in Europe. It’s something that we will continue to
study to see if there are opportunities.”
