The Presage is an eight-seater that gives Nissan a new presence in the large MPV segment, while the Latio (below) could bring 600 sales a month

By Leow Ju-Len

NISSAN’S 2005 BEGAN with a press unveiling of three models that were first shown here at last November’s Singapore Motorshow.

In addition to the Presage, an eight-seater Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV), Nissan distributor Tan Chong Motor Sales took the wraps off the Latio, a 1.5-litre saloon designed to topple the Toyota Corolla Altis from the top of the 1.6-litre chart, along with the Latio Sport, a five-door hatchback version of the model.

The new models will not be officially launched to the public until later this month.

Tan Chong says the Latio models do not replace the Sunny family, but beef up its Category A (or 1.6-litre) line up. “We’re launching the Latio, but the Sunny is a model we will be selling with it,” says AC Neo, Tan Chong Motor Sales’ marketing director. “The Sunny, most likely, we’ll sell till the end of this year. It’s still selling very well. ”

Tan Chong International managing director Joseph Ong said at the launch that the Latio models show how Nissan would “strengthen its presence in the Cat A car segment”.

According to Mr Neo, the company is hoping for a significant contribution from the new Latio. “We have a target of around 500 to 600 units a month,” he says. “Plus the Sunny, we hope to go over a thousand units a month.”

Latio pricing begins at $69,500 for the basic sedan, and $73,000 for a version with fog lamps, automatic lamps, alloy wheels and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which lowers fuel consumption and offers smoother operation.

The Latio Sport was launched at $74,500, with a sunroofed version costing $2,000 more. Repeat Nissan customers get an early-bird discount for either model of $1,000 until February 25th, while others can buy the car at $500 off.

The Presage fights the large MPV battle for Nissan, squaring off against the likes of the Honda Odyssey, which enjoyed sales of 1,703 units here last year. Tan Chong priced the Presage between $106,000 and $111,000 at launch, with the more expensive model boasting an electric twin sunroof and 16-inch sports alloys. Launch discounts were $2,000 for repeat customers and $1,000 for new ones.

Tan Chong’s targets for this car aren’t as lofty, however. “Well, because this is the first time we are bringing in a large MPV, we hope that we’ll be able to have a start of around 40 to 50 units a month, and at least make ourselves present in that big MPV market,” says Mr Neo.

During the launch, Tan Chong management said that the company enjoyed a “remarkable” year in 2004, with the Cefiro doubling its share of the large saloon market, and the Sunny outdoing its own sales performance from 2000, the year of its launch.

Nevertheless, it hasn’t escaped the market’s attention that Hyundai managed to snag the number two spot for passenger car sales, bumping Nissan to the third spot.

So will the new cars spearheading Nissan’s model offensive for 2005 be enough to accelerate the brand back up the sales charts?

That’s a total non-issue as far as Tan Chong is concerned, according to Mr Neo. “Nissan is number two, not three, if you add in commercial vehicles,” he says with a note of conviction. “As a car company, we look at overall volume. If you add in taxis and commercials, we’re number two.”

Besides, sales position is not the main goal. Striking a balance between volume and profitability is far more important, he adds. “If you can get a better position, it’s a bonus.”

In any case, Mr Neo points out that even before the new models arrived, Tan Chong’s Nissan operations didn’t exactly sputter in 2004. “Last year was our second-best year, just for passenger cars,” he says. “So we are not doing too badly.”

WHICH IS THE NEXT NEW NISSAN?
During the launch of the Latio and Presage models, Tan Chong management mentioned that in addition to the 350 Z Roadster and Murano SUV, there would be another new Nissan headed here. What they didn’t say was which Nissan it would be. Given the gaps in the local Nissan line-up, these are our best guesses:

Cube/Cube Cubic
IN THE BATTLE currently raging between the likes of the Honda Jazz and Mitsubishi Colt Plus, Nissan lacks a contender, since the March is too small to fill that role. Enter the Cube, then, which is based on the March but roomier, thanks to its tall, boxy cabin.

Or it might be the Cube Cubic, a stretched version which squeezes in seven seats. That would really give Honda and Mitsubishi’s local dealers something to think about. However, counting against it is the fact that the last version of the car was sold here, and bombed.

That means the Cube might have left a sour taste in the mouths of Tan Chong’s management.

Lafesta
HERE WE HAVE a 2.0-litre seven-seater with lots of family-friendly features. Example: the gearlever is mounted on the dashboard, freeing up floor space to ease access from the front seats to the middle row of chairs.

Then there’s a built-in tissue box holder, which parents of infants will presumably find useful. The Lafesta also incorporates a number of features from the Presage, like electric sliding doors for rear passengers, which allow for better access even in tight parking spots. A panoramic glass roof gives it a unique selling point.

What makes the Lafesta the leading choice? It’s the perfect answer to the Toyota Picnic, a 1,900-a-year seller.

Note
REVISITING THE COLT Plus/Jazz battleground, it’s worth mentioning the Note, a newly-launched model that does what the Cube does, but in a less quirkily-styled package. It’s a strict five-seater, but Nissan expects buyers to note its double-decker boot.

The Note is powered by the same frugal 1.5-litre engine as the Latio and was clearly designed for city use. It’s relatively compact at 3.99 metres in length, but its wheelbase is a longish 2.6 metres. The turning circle is just 4.7 metres.

In Japan the Note is slightly cheaper than the Latio, so a $65,000 target price here would not be unrealistic. That makes it noteworthy.