First look: Nissan reveals sketch of Thai-built compact

NISSAN has revealed a sketch of its forthcoming global compact car – the next-generation Micra – and has confirmed that it will be launched in Thailand in March 2010.

More akin to the sharper-edged light-car genre of its rivals than the current cute, rounded model, the next-generation Micra sold in Australia is now almost certain to be produced in Thailand rather than Japan, allowing Nissan Australia to position it as a more price-competitive model alongside other light cars and an increasing number of sub-light and budget Asian-sourced small cars from brands such as Suzuki, Proton, Hyundai and Chery.

As GoAuto reported in August, the all-new Micra – which could be sold under a new nameplate – will be built in several countries, including China and India. The latter is expected to be the new source for the UK market and Europe, switching from its current home in Sunderland, England.

Production in both Thailand and India are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2010.

India remains a potential source for Australian-bound cars should a decision be made not to build right-hand drive models in Thailand, although shipping costs from Nissan’s plant in Chennai – and the lack of a free-trade agreement with India – makes it a less preferred source for Nissan Australia than from Thailand, which has an FTA with Australia and produces the Tiida, Maxima and certain Navara model variants sold our market.

Left: Nissan's new compact Micra. Below: The current Nissan Micra.

Codenamed X02A but likely to be known as the K13 series, the next Micra is in the final phase of development in Europe and Japan, and could make its world debut later this month at the Tokyo motor show.

Three-door and five-door hatchback, sedan and mini-MPV derivatives all known to be in the works, built off what is thought to be a revised version of the Renault-Nissan Alliance B-platform that underpins the current Micra, as well as the Tiida and the Renault Clio III, among others.

The sketches of the forthcoming compact car were accompanied with few details other than the Thailand launch date. The car will be sold in more than 150 countries and will meet Thailand’s new ‘Eco-car’ program, which uses incentives to attract foreign investment. Details of its environmental qualifications are still to be disclosed.

Petrol and diesel powertrains, ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 litres, are expected to be offered, some with direct fuel injection. Nissan Motor India managing director and CEO Kiminobu Tokuyama said in a statement overnight that it was a “proud moment” for the organisation.

“We are confident that the car, which will be manufactured locally in Chennai, will delight the discerning Indian customers,” he said. “We are serious and committed in our plans for India and are all excited as we gear up for the start of production in May 2010.”

The new model will be a crucial element in Nissan Australia’s quest to become the number-one import brand in Australia, and forms part of the Japanese manufacturer’s global ‘GT 2012’ business plan (G for Growth and T for Trust) announced in 2008.

Priced from $15,990, the current Micra has been on sale since December 2007 as a five-door hatchback model with a 1.4-litre engine and automatic transmission.

Nissan Australia chief executive Dan Thompson has told GoAuto that the new model would offer a full range.

“The current Micra is very limited, and basically a one-grade, five-door auto in its field,” Mr Thompson said. “This was very much always intended to be a short-term play because we didn’t have representation in the light-car segment (before 2007).

“The next-generation Micra is really the first core model of that GT 2012 strategy, and so it will come to us with a proper range – and not just manual or auto, but in various configurations and grades, like we have in the rest of our line-up.

“So the Micra of today is really unique in its proposition within our portfolio.

“There is manufacturing out of India and also out of Thailand. We have two options from a sourcing perspective, and we will wrap that up very quickly.

“But the next Micra will certainly be a proper, full line-up offering ... and it will continue to deliver value in the market.”