Nissan in Sunderland is in an area of the UK which is less prosperous than average. Imagine how important the Nissan plant is there. It produces the Nissan Note, Juke, Qashqai and Leaf models.
Now an additional 60,000 capacity is being added for the Q30 and QX30 models. They will both be made for the global markets. I know nothing much about Infiniti as they do not grace the roads of New Zealand. So what will these models be like?
The Q30 is a new smaller hatchback ideally suited to European tastes. Premium hatches are popular there. It seems both cars are using MFA (modular front architecture) and engines from Mercedes Benz, and the car will be based on the A-Class. Looking at the pictures the car will be stylish, with a hint of the Nissan Juke model at its derriere. Production will start mid-2015.
The QX30 is called a crossover, based on the Mercedes GLA model. It will also use MFA and engines. It is not unattractive and quite unique in appearance.
One would think using a European production base is more than simply taking advantage of the very successful operation Sunderland is. Surely it will assist in a push for a reasonable presence in Europe.
The tie-up with Mercedes is going to be good for both firms. For Nissan in this instance, cost savings getting the cars to market will be substantial. It would have sped things up one would safely assume. They will have good NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), essential for a car to be considered premium. It makes sense.
The QX30 is called a crossover, based on the Mercedes GLA model. It will also use MFA and engines. It is not unattractive and quite unique in appearance.
One would think using a European production base is more than simply taking advantage of the very successful operation Sunderland is. Surely it will assist in a push for a reasonable presence in Europe.
The tie-up with Mercedes is going to be good for both firms. For Nissan in this instance, cost savings getting the cars to market will be substantial. It would have sped things up one would safely assume. They will have good NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), essential for a car to be considered premium. It makes sense.
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