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::Events>2002>New York Auto
Show>Nissan introduction speech
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New York International Auto Show, March 27,2002
Bill Kirrane
Vice President and General Manager
Nissan Division
Good afternoon. It's truly great to be back here in New York. So much has changed in this great city, our great country and within us all since
September. It is impossible to be here and pretend that it is business as usual. Yet we go on.
A year ago, Carlos Ghosn stood on this stage and introduced a car that we called "the cure for the common car." It turns out that the new Altima has also been a pretty good "cure" for Nissan as well.
Nissan Division sales are up over 9 percent since last October, led by a 36 percent increase in Altima sales. Altima demand and traffic have both more than doubled, as well.
Altima is doing exactly what we promised it would a year ago – attracting new buyers to Nissan... buyers who have a passion for driving, who want uncompromising quality and want products that reflect their personal tastes. In other words, buyers who want products that are more focused than the "one size fits all" philosophy of the current competitive offerings.
Our strategy of being all things to some people -- rather than some things for all people -- is certainly paying off for Nissan. We're building a new Nissan, a new brand, around bold, thoughtful new products -- including the newest Nissan waiting under wraps right here.
While other manufacturers have recently taken up the "product development is everything" mantra, Nissan is ahead of the curve. Under the Nissan Revival Plan, we've reduced debt, reduced costs and returned to profitability -- while at the same time we've increased our investment in product development and new manufacturing facilities.
Nissan President Carlos Ghosn announced last month that the company had reached its NRP goals one year early and is now moving ahead with our "Plan 180" which means one million more global sales, 8 percent profit margin, and zero automotive debt.
It's a 180 degree turnaround from where Nissan was just a few years ago and the emphasis is right where it should be -- the "1" million new sales come first.
As a matter of fact, along with projected increased demand for the Altima, we're dedicated to the continuous improvement of existing models... like the new Frontier Open Sky pick up, with its full sliding sunroof, on display over here.
And, our Canton, Mississippi plant will start production of a new full-size pickup, full-size SUV and next generation Quest for the 2004 model year. We gave you a preview at Detroit of what our next "Nissan style" minivan might look like with the Quest Concept to my left.
I think our other new products are going to be just as exciting and innovative -- including our upcoming, next generation
Maxima. Where in the past we might have rushed products to market just to be in market, today we are taking a much more measured approach.
As we see opportunities to compete in new or growing segments, we are doing so with highly distinctive, segment-leading products – as reflected in their design, technology and performance. Competing in these new segments will bring us customers new to the Nissan brand and that's important.
There are no better examples of this approach than in the award-winning Altima or the upcoming 350Z. When we announced Z pricing in January, we thought it might generate a fair amount of interest.
We've been overwhelmed by the response so far:
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Over 2.2 million Web site hits
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120,000 Z information requests
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Over 3,500 pre-sold orders
The Z shows how good we can be when we go our own way. Now, hopefully, we're ready to do it again.
Now, while our priorities last year were focused on the high volume mid-size sedan segment with the launch of the new Altima, there's a critical segment where we haven't had a presence until now – crossover
SUVs. Here again, as you will see, we've made the conscious decision to go our own way, taking the time to get it right, right out of the box.
Our concept for the Murano - "Sculpture in Motion" - is reflected in the name, which comes from Murano glass, the elegantly sculpted glass art that comes from the island of the same name near Venice, Italy.
I think with this very dynamic yet elegant body, we've exceeded our goal of avoiding the traditional, slab-sided designs that have become so common in this category. Jack Collins will provide more details about the Murano design in a few minutes, but I'd like to stress just a few points.
First, the new Nissan Murano was developed, designed and engineered specifically for the U.S market. Murano is a vehicle, which we firmly believe, meets the needs and desires of our target customers... as well as offering a number of segment exclusive surprises.
Secondly, rather than just create a taller version of an existing product, we've taken an original approach -- designing Murano from the concept... and consumer need... up. "Crossover" does not have to mean "compromise."
Murano comes to market with a number of key differentiators – starting with styling and technology – allowing Murano to truly stand out from the crowd. You can now have sporty performance and high utility in one package.
The new Murano is a stylish, emotional alternative to traditional crossover
SUVs, with boldness that embodies Nissan's character. Once you've had the opportunity to take a closer look, I think you'll agree.
Now, I'd like to ask Jack Collins, our vice president of product planning, to come up and give you more details. Jack...
Jack Collins
Vice President, Product Planning
Nissan North America, Inc.
Thanks, Bill and good afternoon. The crossover SUV segment is the fastest growing segment in automotive history. It's also becoming one of the most crowded. But as we've shown with Altima, there's always room to stand out in a crowd ö if you have the right product.
The new Murano has clear competitive advantages in styling, technology, packaging and convenience, performance, ride comfort, handling agility, quality and safety. That's quite a list, but Murano has the "specs" to back it up.
Looking at the needs of this rapidly emerging segment -- we've identified an unfilled area of customer desire we call "Urban
SUV." An Urban SUV is purpose-built -- offering the uncompromising functionality of a true
SUV... available all-weather, all-wheel drive performance, aggressive wheels and tires, secure feeling and flexible cargo capacity... with the agility and ride comfort of a refined, urban sport sedan.
One other critically important "need" in this segment, which has often been overlooked, is design. The design theme, which we considered key to setting Murano apart from the competitive noise, was "Sculpture in Motion."
From the sharply defined front end to the upswept D-pillar and highly dimensional rear cargo door, the Murano has a fluidity and motion, even when sitting still. Murano has
"SUV strength" below the beltline, which is enhanced by the standard 18-inch wheels and tires, and a refined, sport sedan-like upper area and greenhouse.
The Murano's elegant interior, with its deeply formed seats and real aluminum trim, continues the "Sculpture in Motion" theme. Along with the warm and inviting surfaces and materials is a remarkable attention to detail, comfort and functionality.
A few of the highlights include:
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A two-tiered, lockable center console storage box with room to hold a laptop computer or purse
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Logically placed HVAC, audio and navigation controls located in a "floating" central information center with large, color monitor
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Reclining rear seats with a remote flip-down function
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Adjustable accelerator and brake pedals with memory function
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A wide, flexible, highly-useable cargo space, with less intrusion of the wheelwells due to the compact rear suspension design
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A dramatically curved rear cargo door, constructed of lightweight plastic composites with steel reinforcements for ease of opening and closing
The packaging efficiency of the new Murano is due, in part, to the use of Nissan Motor Company's FF-L platform, the same one used for the new Altima.
We've given Murano a long wheelbase, a wide track, and utilized short overhangs and a large greenhouse to create a vehicle that's large on the inside but feels manageable and maneuverable on the outside.
The new Murano also shares another key feature with the Altima, Maxima and upcoming Z. Nissan's award-winning
"VQ series" 3.5-liter V6 engine. For use in Murano, the engine is rated at 240-plus horsepower. Final specs will be released in the coming months.
But that's not all, with Murano we're also very excited to introduce a completely new piece of technology – the first global application of Nissan's "New Generation" Continuously Variable Transmission.
As you know, Nissan has a history of leadership in CVT technology. Our previous CVT systems have been available primarily in lower horsepower and lower torque applications. Now, we think it's time to bring the CVT benefits of exceptionally smooth operation and high fuel efficiency to a wider audience. Nissan's CVT leadership will continue with this latest, all-new design.
Our "New Generation CVT" will come standard on all Murano models. For those of you who haven't driven a vehicle equipped with CVT yet, it's quite a remarkable experience – with virtually no shift shock or gear hunting, especially when driving on hilly or mountain roads. More details are available on the cutaway display located to your left.
For drivers seeking higher levels of input, Murano SE models will feature CVT with a 7-speed manual shift mode function.
Murano will be available in all-wheel or front-wheel drive configurations. The Murano all-wheel drive system is an all-new electromagnetic design that is compact in size, lightweight and provides immediate response. It automatically engages and disengages and features a lock-mode for low speed hazardous driving conditions.
Ride and handling -– and a real sense of driving excitement – are additional strengths of the new
Murano. The 4-wheel independent suspension includes an advanced rear multi-link design. The standard braking system is state-of-the-art, with 4-wheel vented discs, ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake force Distribution.
Side air bags, side curtain air bags and front seat active head restraints are also standard, and our advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control with Nissan Traction Control System is also available on the new
Murano.
And, Murano will be available with a choice of satellite radio services, which also will be offered in our 2003 Pathfinders.
You should be getting the idea by now that Murano is one well-equipped, well-thought out, exciting Urban
SUV. It is an "artwork" in a world of appliances... a "sculpture" built on a foundation of substance, safety and security.
Murano has the refined, relaxing interior that makes it a pleasure for passengers... and superior acceleration and car-like handling that earns Murano its Nissan badge.
In other words, just wait until you drive one, which won't be a very long wait. Now I'd like to ask Bill to come back up to give you those details. Bill...
Bill Kirrane
There's a hunger and impatience at Nissan these days. We know we're still underdogs compared to some of our competitors. We know we can't just roll out new products and expect buyers to line up for them. We have to build products with all the "price of entry" features such as quality, safety and security. And we have to top those with strong performance, eye-catching designs, strong value and leading-edge technology.
The new Murano scores on every measure. Murano enters the market this November as a 2003 model. We'll announce an exact date, pricing and more specific model information later this summer. In the meantime, more details are available in your press kits and on the newly redesigned Nissan News Bureau.
Thank you.
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