Datsun Revival '14 for $3k

[rambleon84]

For Datsun Revival, Nissan Gambles on $3,000 Model

Originally Posted by WSJ.com

In a bold move into the auto industry's fastest-growing category—emerging-market countries—Nissan Motor Co. is planning a revival to this Beatles-era star that might surprise its fans. According to interviews with Nissan's CEO, Carlos Ghosn, and other company executives, the rebooted car will appear in these countries as bare-boned as any rival has tried. And Nissan is hoping to set new lows for pricing for a global auto maker, offering the cheapest Datsun model for about $3,000 to $5,000. The lowest price is nearly a third the price of its most inexpensive car, the $8,000 Tsuru compact sold in Mexico.

I like the nameplate but its going to be a pretty lowly car if they stick to that 3-5k price... although i doubt most of us will get to see them in person.


read the full story here

[svt1391]

I think it'd be really awesome to see some retro Datsuns. I'd really like to see the 510 brought back. Mmm..secksy

[azdamay]

I can't imagine what an enormously basic, crude, and probably not particularly safe, car could be built for $3,000. It would appear, reading the article, that they basically did some surveying and discovered "hey these people don't care about air bags or safety, we can just toss that stuff out and save some money that way."

However, my mind is blown that Mr K. is still alive, and 103 years old. And lucid! Wow!

[mjd4277]

Bold move by Nissan. I remember seeing 310s,510s,810s and Hardbody trucks with the Datsun badge until the Nissan nameplate became more mainstream. Given Datsun's reputation it just might work out for Nissan.

[lyonsroar]

Friend of mine drove all the way to Oregon from Nebraska to pick this baby up...

...then turned around and drove it home!


IMG_3895_wm by Lyonsroar91, on Flickr


I'm going to send him this link and see what he has to say...lol

[funktional]

I don't think they're meant for the US market........I think they are meant for emerging markets like India and China, to compete with the Tata Nano type POS cars on the road.

[azdamay]

They are meant for developing countries. That was the thrust of the article -- no one else has been able to successfully tap that huge market of potential car buyers.

[rambleon84]

Originally Posted by funktional

I don't think they're meant for the US market........I think they are meant for emerging markets like India and China, to compete with the Tata Nano type POS cars on the road.

Originally Posted by azdamay

They are meant for developing countries. That was the thrust of the article -- no one else has been able to successfully tap that huge market of potential car buyers.

Exactly;

"in many underdeveloped countries, car ownership at any age remains more of a dream than a reality. In India, only 38 people out of 1,000 owned a car in 2010, compared with 808 people per 1,000 in the U.S., according to one study. "

That's 80% for the US and only 3.8% in India. You bet they want to cash in on that market.

[Kipp]

I think it could be a good move for them. Would be cool to have something like that here as well. I know alot of people that would gladly buy one for 3-5k. and yes, i know that won't happen here though.

[homey55]

http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post...0-0df0de17d0a5

This article says 6 new models will be introduced starting at $3k. There is hope for a 510 or 240 "datsun" in the higher price range marketed for Americans the way I see it.