Nissan Teana: Hugely Important But Skipping the U.S.
July 03, 2008
By Peter Nunn
TOKYO - Nissan broke the mould in Japan five years ago when it created the Teana as a "new luxury sedan for sophisticated drivers." With its cool and sophisticated interior, the 2.3 liter to 3.5-liter Teana had plenty of designer appeal, but this was one Nissan that was never going to make it across to the U.S.
Fast forward to today and this newly unveiled Teana has the same kind of mission. No, it's still not headed for North America but this 2008 Teana is set to be player for Nissan in Japan and even more so in the big emerging markets of China and Russia where Nissan will set up local production.
China, in fact, may well end up being number one market for this new era Teana. It first appeared to the world at the Beijing auto show back in April where once again Nissan pushed home the concept of modern living and relaxation that's part and parcel of the Teana's DNA.
The Teana was named "Best World Premiere" at the Beijing show, and just this week (June 16), the first new Teana, the flagship of Nissan's Chinese line, rolled down the assembly line at Nissan's joint venture plant with Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd., in Xianfang.
On the outside, the Teana offers up the kind of simple, conservative styling that goes over
well in Asian markets. But things are different inside where Nissan's idea has been to evoke the ambience of a smart modern living room through high quality design and finish. The first Teana was extraordinarily successful that way with sumptuous seat and innovative designer dash treatment. This new Teana again eschews generic cabin themes and there's not an inch of grey plastic in sight.
And yes, there is an American connection. Underneath, the Teana sits on the same Nissan D-platform that underpins the 2009 Maxima, as well as the Murano and Altima.
That's about as far as it goes, however, for the new U.S. Maxima is a way sportier and more aggressively styled concept, as befits the Maxima's 'four-door sports car' legend.
The Teana is more laid back, has a wider four and six cylinder engine range, comes with either front-drive or all-wheel-drive and definitely wasn't track tested at Germany's famed Nurburgring race track, as was the '09 Maxima.
The 2009 Maxima is also made in Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee plant whereas the Teana's built in Kyushu, Japan. Production will also start up this month in China. Russian sales began on June 1.
Under the hood, Japan's Teana kicks off with 2.5-liter (182 horsepower) and 3.5-liter
(249 horsepower) V6 engine options. A more prosaic four cylinder 2.5 (165 horsepower) is mandatory if you order 4WD.
China's version of the car will get both the V6 engines, along with a simpler 2.0-liter four cylinder unit geared towards economy and price.
Nissan will also ship this swish new sedan to Australia where, just to confuse matters, the previous Teana was rebadged as Maxima. Whether the same will happen again, Nissan currently won't say. But it probably will as Maxima is still a good and strong name and Teana means zip Down Under.
Here and now, this new Teana is on dealer lots in Japan for some $24,300 to $37,300. It would have been unthinkable not so long ago, but this time, it's Russia and China, not Japan, where the real action lies.
Call it a sign of the times.
Posted by Michelle Krebs at 6:00 AM under Companies | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
Leave a comment