Nissan Blog
UKDM Nissan 370Z 'Yellow' is a special-edition homage to Europe's GT4 seriesFiled under: Motorsports, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Nissan, UK, Special/Limited Editions 
2010 Nissan 370Z Yellow - Click above for image gallery
American fans of Nissan's fantastic new 370Z can order their cars in Chicane Yellow, but up until now, their counterparts in Blighty have been out of luck if they've wanted a sunburst Z of their own. Until now. That's because Nissan UK has cooked up a special new limited-edition (if unimaginatively named) 370Z Yellow.
Apparently inspired by the Japanese automaker's European GT4 series racers, all Yellows will receive 19-inch forged RAYS alloys, a black leather and suede interior, along with illuminated door sill plates, special floor mats, and so on. Did we mention the bespoke lower body graphics? They remind us of less subtle, billboard-sized versions of the graphics packages on certain Porsche 911s.
Nissan assures that there will be a "strictly limited volume" of Yellows for sale in the UK, with "exclusivity guaranteed." But tellingly, perhaps, the company isn't divulging just how many it plans to produce in the model's press release (available after the jump). If you're interested, prepare to shell out £31,650 (nearly $52,000 USD)
for a six-speed manual or £33,050 for the automatic (just over $54,000 USD - as usual, bear in mind the UK's comparatively inflated pricing structure for new cars).
Continue reading UKDM Nissan 370Z 'Yellow' is a special-edition homage to Europe's GT4 series UKDM Nissan 370Z 'Yellow' is a special-edition homage to Europe's GT4 series originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsDead Diesels: Six automakers reportedly kill plans for oil burnersFiled under: Tech, Chrysler, LLC., Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota 
Diesel's near-term prospects in America took a huge hit with the revelation that nine diesel-powered 2010 models are on hold. Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have put the kibosh on rolling out more oil burners due to cost and perception issues.
Toyota's obviously on a hybrid run and doesn't want to expel the effort or expense of investing in diesel for the American market -- and having to overcome America's dirty diesel perceptions. The others, as mass market manufacturers, simply need more justification for the cost and complexity of oilburners in order to make the case for consumers to spend more.
Additionally, diesel's benefits are weighted differently according to EPA or CAFE standards. The EPA mileage numbers present diesels well, but CAFE's differing fuel mileage equation makes gas-hybrids look better than diesels, and CAFE is something all automakers are looking at. However, you'll notice that German brands aren't mentioned -- their price premium and European diesel volumes make a worthwhile case for diesels, so those diesel Jetta Sportwagons won't be going away any time soon.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]Dead Diesels: Six automakers reportedly kill plans for oil burners originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord, Nissan, Tesla all big winners in DoE advanced technology loansFiled under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Government/Legal, Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Tech, Ford, Nissan 
Ford Focus EV Mule - Click above for high-res gallery
The U.S. Department of Energy has finally announced the first recipient of low interest loans under its Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program. The first recipient is Ford, and analysts believe the DoE will award sums to Nissan and Tesla Motors, as well. Ford applied for up to $11 billion in loans, but instead it was awarded $5.9 billion in financing. The Dearborn-based automaker will use the money to fund its electric vehicle program that will launch a battery-powered version of the Transit Connect in 2010, and it will also likely use the capital to help pay for the $550 million renovation of its Wayne, MI sport-utility plant to build the next-generation Focus in both internal combustion and electric flavors.
For its part, Nissan wants to add production of its upcoming electric car and lithium ion batteries at its assembly complex in Smyrna, Tennessee, and it will receive $1.6 billion.
Despite receiving the smallest sum of the three automakers, Tesla is arguably the biggest winner this round, as the $465 million it may receive will allow the fledgeling EV maker to proceed with completing development and production of its Model S sedan. Recent investment in the company by Daimler was probably a big help in getting the loan approved, as companies had to demonstrate viability. And since the ATVM program favors re-tooling of older existing plants, Tesla will probably look at acquiring a closed factory from another company. Recent rumors had the company possibly getting a former McDonnell-Douglas factory in Long Beach, although there are plenty of other properties available.
The current Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings at General Motors and Chrysler made those companies ineligible in the current round. It's not known if any announcements will be made about loans for battery makers like A123 or EnerDel.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]Ford, Nissan, Tesla all big winners in DoE advanced technology loans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsREPORT: Nissan considering building EVs and batteries in the U.S.Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Nissan 
Nissan EV-02 prototype - click above for high res image gallery
Earlier this year, Nissan applied for low interest loans under the Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program. In order to qualify for those loans, Nissan would have to use the government funds to build something "green" in the U.S., and it appears that if Nissan gets the loan it plans to build electric vehicles at its Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant. The line, which is expected to have a capacity of 50-100,000 units annually, could be up and running by 2012.
Automotive Energy Supply Company, the Nissan-NEC battery joint venture, also plans to set up shop in Smyrna. Initial production of both batteries and electric cars will start in Japan in 2010. Reuters is reporting that Nissan is expecting to get approval for a loan of $1 billion for the assembly and battery projects.
[Source: Reuters]
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
REPORT: Nissan considering building EVs and batteries in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsREPORT: Next Nissan Fuga to debut in Tokyo, foretells Infiniti M's futureFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Infiniti, Nissan 
The JDM Nissan Fuga is due for a comprehensive overhaul, and according to a report by Japan's Holiday Auto, we can expect to see the redesigned sedan at this fall's Tokyo Motor Show.
The sketches above were inspired by a recent batch of spy shots and as expected, the Fuga - which serves as the basis for the Infiniti M in the States - will undergo a thorough exterior makeover, taking cues from the Essence concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The headlamps will continue to be stretched further over the fenders, while the taillights and bumper will be more smoothly integrated into the bulbous rump. We're hoping the most interesting element of the Essence - the curved, creased and indented C-pillar - will make a successful transition from concept to production. Expect the Fuga to go on sale in Japan early next year, with the fully-redesigned Infiniti M to debut soon thereafter.
[Source: Holiday Auto via 7Tune]REPORT: Next Nissan Fuga to debut in Tokyo, foretells Infiniti M's future originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments2009 NISMO 370Z officially priced from $39,130Filed under: Sports/GTs, Nissan 
2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z - Click above for image gallery
The hardcore NISMO 370Z first appeared in April at the New York Auto Show, but Nissan didn't stick a price tag on it at that time. Those interested in the ultimate in factory Z performance now know that they will have to save up $39,130 in order to get a taste. For that near 40 grand price tag, pretty much everything is included on this late-to-the-party 2009 model. The only options available for the NISMO are back-lit sill plates, carpeted floor mats and a carpeted trunk mat, none of which do anything to make the NISMO any quicker.
All of the go-faster bits are included in price of admission, including an upgraded 3.7-liter V6 that bumps power from 332 to 350 horsepower, and torque nudges from 270 to 275 pound-feet. Like the standard Z, the NISMO gets SynchroRev matching for its close-ratio gearbox, and unique five-spoke 19-inch wheels work with the upgraded suspension and brakes to get the most out of that more powerful engine. Needless to say, the car's airflow get a substantial reworking thanks to the less-than-subtle aerodynamics package. Check out the full press release after the jump and the high-res galleries below.
[Source: Nissan]Continue reading 2009 NISMO 370Z officially priced from $39,130 2009 NISMO 370Z officially priced from $39,130 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsNissan reportedly preparing Nürburgring edition 370Z for the European marketFiled under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Euro, Nissan, Special/Limited Editions  Nissan 370Z - Click above for a high-res image gallery
While Nissan has been trying to master the Nürburgring in its flagship GT-R supercar, it was the one-rung-down 370Z which the Japanese automaker fielded at the track's 24-hour race last month. To commemorate the occasion, Nissan is reportedly preparing to drop a special commemorative edition of its 370Z on the European market.
Although photos are still unavailable at this time, the Nissan 370Z Nürburgring edition is apparently set to be differentiated by a set of 19-inch OZ Racing alloys wrapped in Dunlop rubber, a sport exhaust system and the requisite batch of special badges. Only 80 examples will be made, each individually numbered, and the model will apparently only be available in yellow. And just to sweeten the deal, Nissan is throwing in a gift card good for over $200 of track time on the Nordschleife.
[Source: CarScoop]Nissan reportedly preparing Nürburgring edition 370Z for the European market originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVizualtech renders time-attack Nissan 200SXFiled under: Motorsports, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Nissan 
Vizualtech Nissan 200SX time attack - Click above for high-res image gallery
The folks over at Vizualtech, the 3D rendering firm that brought you the Audi R8-inspired catamaran and a Le Mans-ready Dodge Challenger are at it again. This time, the team has put together a stunning widebody Nissan 240SX for time attack duty.
Evidently designed for an unnamed Swedish client, the turbocharged, 600-horsepower 200SX was inspired by a GT 500-class Japan GT Touring Car (although apparently they've taken a few theoretical liberties, as the GT 500 class is capped at 500 horses). That aside, we think this is a killer-looking job, one that we'd happily check out at the track.
[Vizualtech via SeriousWheels]Vizualtech renders time-attack Nissan 200SX originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSTUDY: Toyota and Honda supplier relations suffer while Ford, GM improveFiled under: Chrysler, LLC., Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota 
In the latest installment of an annual supplier relations survey put together by Planning Perspectives, Honda and Toyota have upheld their top positions in spite of suppliers describing downgrading them to merely "adequate." Still above average in supplier relations rankings (along with Nissan), previously Japan's two largest automakers were ranked "good to very good." Honda is still gets top marks for involving suppliers in product development and for helping suppliers lower costs and increase quality, while Toyota's decline was attributed to "less experienced staff in Toyota's purchasing group for whom the 'Toyota Way' is not yet the way of doing things."
Domestically, the big winner was Ford. All three domestic makers still rank below average in supplier relations, but six years ago, Ford was dead last among the top six carmakers. This year, Ford takes the U.S. crown, with just 19% of surveyed suppliers saying they'd rather not do business with the company (or that they are ambivalent about it). For its part, General Motors has also improved, but Chrysler has, not surprisingly, remained on the bottom: Fully 54% of surveyed suppliers said they would rather not do business with the Pentastar. Thank you for the tip, Leonard!
[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]
STUDY: Toyota and Honda supplier relations suffer while Ford, GM improve originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBloc Rockin' Beater: Twin-turbo Skyline-powered 2105 shows off a Lada intercoolerFiled under: Tuners, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Nissan 
Take a close look at the car in these photos. What at first glance appears to be a '70s race car done up for SEMA is actually S. Kartuzoff's Lada 2105 Gladkov Edition. The car has been dubbed "Adrenalin," and as the description says, "It is the Russian car!" with motive power coming from a Nissan Skyline engine that has been boosted by a pair of Garrett turbos. The before-and-after pics show how much work went into creating this oddly classic and simultaneously modern vehicle.
Most of our crew aren't digging the scissor doors, but the intercooler-as-grille idea, well, that's just inspired. And the twin-turbo powertrain? Boffo. Makes us think of all of those glorious IMSA TU cars from the '70s. Cars like the Alfa GTV, Fiat 124, BMW 2002, Datsun 510, and Mazda RX-2 and -3. Check out the small gallery of pics grabbed from the source below, but we urge you to click through for more images of the incredible and unique build. Hat tip to TheFireball.
[Source: CarDomain]Bloc Rockin' Beater: Twin-turbo Skyline-powered 2105 shows off a Lada intercooler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsMitsubishi interested in supplying Saturn dealers?Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Saturn 
Regardless of what entity General Motors eventually unloads its network of 380 Saturn dealerships upon, it's not planning to continue supplying vehicles to the displaced automaker past 2011 at the latest. This being the case, the majority of prospective Saturn bidders will need to find an alternate source for cars and trucks to stock its newly purchased showroom floors. But who?
According to The Detroit News, both Mitsubishi and Nissan are in talks with various parties that are considering making a bid for Saturn. Of those two options, Mitsubishi seems to make a bit more sense as it only has about 430 dealerships in the U.S. and it is therefore not nearly as well represented as Nissan. However, Nissan has a much deeper product portfolio and it already demonstrated that it is capable of selling in significantly higher sales volumes. At this point, it's unclear whether the Nissan or Mitsubishi-supplied vehicles would be badged and sold as Saturns, but given Mitsubishi's damaged reputation in the States (save the Evo), selling its wares under a brand with a reputation for strong customer service and ownership satisfaction could be just the opening it needs to find success in the U.S. market.
In related news, the DetNews is also reporting that the list of potential bidders for Saturn has been whittled down to "two or three," which likely includes Penske Automotive Group, Magna International and investor group Telesto Ventures.
[Source: Detroit News]Mitsubishi interested in supplying Saturn dealers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 May 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsNissan recalling nearly 363,000 first-gen Murano crossoversFiled under: Recalls/TSBs, Crossovers/CUVs, Nissan 
Nissan has announced that they are recalling some 360,000 first generation Murano CUVs because of an engine stall risk. Apparently, the material they used for their air intake ducts is prematurely aging and shrinking, causing a separation risk in the system. That separation can cause an engine stall, "increasing the risk of a crash." The affected models are the 2003 through 2007 Nissan Muranos.
Anyone with one of those models should contact their Nissan service rep to arrange a free inspection and/or repair. Customers can also call Nissan directly at 1-800-647-7261. The parts for the recall should be available in great enough quantity by July 6, when the recall officially begins. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's full press release is after the jump.
This is just the latest in a string of recalls for the popular first-gen Nissan Murano, following seat belt, fuel tank, and electrical problems. Hat tip to Art!
[Source: NHTSA]Continue reading Nissan recalling nearly 363,000 first-gen Murano crossovers Nissan recalling nearly 363,000 first-gen Murano crossovers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsREPORT: Nissan GT-Rs being purchased under UK Cash-For-Clunkers provisionsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, Supercars, Nissan, UK 
When legislators in the United Kingdom decided to introduce its Cash for Clunkers program, it was widely suggested that older, fuel-guzzling vehicles would be removed from the road in favor of the latest crop of clean, green, fuel efficient cars and trucks. As is often the case, reality isn't so cut-and-dry.
According to Auto Trader UK, two of the first new vehicles purchased under the UK's new scrapping scheme were Nissan GT-Rs. Much has been written about Godzilla's ability to navigate the famed Nurburgring in Germany, but those stories never described the giant-killing GT-R as eco-friendly. What gives?
It seems that the rulebook in Merry ole' England doesn't include provisions limiting the scrapping program to vehicles with low carbon emissions. Most other countries with scrapping programs - including the proposed plan in the U.S., in case you were wondering - require the new vehicle to be significantly more fuel efficient than the car that's being scrapped.
In related news, at least one enthusiast's plans to trade in a slightly used '99 Oldsmobile Alero for a shiny new Nissan GT-R have summarily been placed on the back burner. Tip o' the cap to Keith and Demstel!
[Source: Auto Trader UK]REPORT: Nissan GT-Rs being purchased under UK Cash-For-Clunkers provisions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 May 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsNISMO renting GT-R engine and transmission computers in JapanFiled under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sports/GTs, Japan, Supercars, Nissan 
Nissan GT-R SpecV - Click above for a high-res image gallery
 Beginning June 1, NISMO will begin taking pre-orders on a new ECU and Transmission Control Module (TCM) for the standard GT-R and its SpecV sibling. According to Nissan's motorsports arm, the ECU increases maximum boost pressure by 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) to crank-up low-end torque and enhance throttle response. The TCM tweaks supposedly deliver quicker downshifts and the speed limiter on the street (i.e. when not running on a GPS-approved race track) has been raised to 320 km/h - or just one tick shy of 200 mph.
But as you'd expect, there's a hitch. Aside from the sizeable buy-in (294,000 yen, or just over $3,000 US), NISMO will only rent the duo of upgraded controllers for a 24-month term. After which, you either return the ECU and TCM units or shell out an additional $329 per year to keep them on board. Both modules are covered by NISMO's warranty and deliveries begin on June 24.
[Source: GTRBlog]NISMO renting GT-R engine and transmission computers in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 May 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFast & Furious Skyline stolen from Hollywood garageFiled under: Etc., Nissan 
It took two years to build it in reality, ten seconds of montage to put it together on screen, and about ten minutes to steal it. In a rare automotive example of life imitating art imitating life, the Nissan Skyline that Paul Walker drove in the latest Fast & Furious movie was stolen from its storage facility in Los Angeles.
Although dressed up to look like a full-on R34 GT-R for the movie, the car underneath was actually a lower-spec GT-S. Reports indicate that thieves, evidently knowing the car was inside, broke through a metal door and ripped off that specific car, leaving the rest but sideswiping a Studebaker and a Porsche Boxster on the way out. And to make matters worse, the car, valued at around $75,000, wasn't even insured. Considering the movie grossed $72.5 million in opening-weekend box office sales alone, we doubt the seventy-five grand will be terribly missed.
[Sources: Jalopnik and Inside Line]Fast & Furious Skyline stolen from Hollywood garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 May 2009 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsRendered REPORT: 2011 Nissan Murano Convertible still in the cards?Filed under: Convertibles, Crossovers/CUVs, Nissan, Rumormill  Last August, InsideLine reported Nissan was working on a convertible variant of the Murano crossover and today, it's released a follow-up, claiming the soft-top SUV will make it to market sometime before next summer and will lose a set of doors (ala Chrysler's PT Cruiser convertible) in the process. This is either the most inane move by Nissan in recent memory or one of the lamest hoaxes ever to spring forth from the interwebs.
According to IL, the 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, come equipped with a retractable soft-top and will be packing the same 265-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and CVT to send power to either the front wheels or all four.
If it happens, it could look like this rendering from IL. With all the products being killed in 2010, this one makes the cut? The mind reels.
[Source: InsideLine]Rendered REPORT: 2011 Nissan Murano Convertible still in the cards? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsCarlos Ghosn vows he won't depart Nissan until it returns to profitability?Filed under: Japan, Nissan, Earnings/Financials 
Carlos Ghosn became Nissan's chief operating officer in 1999, initially declared that he would remain in the job for a maximum of ten years. At the time, Nissan had $13 billion in debt, a history of losses, and an almost completely forgettable product lineup. Now, on the eve of his ten-year anniversary and after a success story that few expected, Ghosn says he won't step down until Nissan is clearly profitable again.
For fiscal 2008, Nissan suffered an operating loss of 100 billion yen ($1.03 billion U.S.) on sales that were down 9.5% from 2007. For Ghosn to leave in the aftermath of that showing would be, in his words, "deserting." As one of the industry's few major execs upon whom praise is regularly lavished, we imagine many employees at Nissan and Renault are pleased to see him remain at the controls.
[Source: Reuters | Image: AFP/Getty]Carlos Ghosn vows he won't depart Nissan until it returns to profitability? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsNissan GT-R wins 2009 One Lap of AmericaFiled under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Nissan, Porsche 
2009 One Lap of America - Click above for a high-res image gallery
For the first time in the modern incarnation of One Lap of America, a Japanese car has claimed the top spot. After a grueling 3,400+ mile, nine racetrack odyssey around the United States, veteran "Lap Dog" Steve Rankins and "Lap Puppy" Will Taylor captured the overall trophy in their 2009 Nissan GT-R this weekend. The victory marks the first for a Nippon car since the event's 1986 running, when rallyist Karl Chevalier's Toyota Celica beat out fellow racer John Buffum's Audi 5000S wagon. OloA's timing and scoring procedures were markedly different at that point, however, as from 1985 to 1991, One Lap was essentially a time-speed-distance (TSD) rally.
With five-time defending champion Mark Davia and Drew Wikstrom taking the year off in their Porsche 911 Turbo, a new winner was assured, but for quite a while, it looked like another Stuttgart powerhouse would take the podium, as the 996 GT2 of Peter Lier and Ian Stewart held down the top position for much of the event. In the end, the consistency of the #3 Team Cannonball GT-R outlasted all comers - including the green #2 GT-R of Derek Whitis, Tom Long and Mark Pombo, which fell by the wayside when it was beset by gremlins (faulty boost controller pushing the ECU into limp mode, overheating, etc.). Along the way, the #3 GT-R was a consistent performer all week long, setting OloA's best-ever wet skidpad performance, a tidy 0.953g and winning events at Turfway Park, Talladega Grand Prix Raceway, Daytona International Raceway, Carolina Motorsports Park, and the BMW Performance Center. While stockpiling that many victories may make this year's race sound like a walk-off, tight competition from Lier and Stewart's 996 GT2 and the aforementioned #2 GT-R meant that the issue was in doubt almost until the very end.
Check out the high-res gallery below for more shots from this year's event, the full results here, and comprehensive wrap-up coverage courtesy of Motor Trend here.
[Sources: One Lap of America; Motor Trend]Nissan GT-R wins 2009 One Lap of America originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsNow's Your Chance: Repo'd Nissan GT-R up for auctionFiled under: Car Buying, Sports/GTs, Auction Action, Etc., Supercars, Nissan 
Reposessed GTR headed for auction today - Click above for image gallery
Here's your chance to put Godzilla in your driveway for a discount! Of course, this GT-R that's headed for the block at Matley's Richmond Auto Auction today in Virginia will likely not go for much of a discount. Barring a transmission that's been launch-controlled into oblivion, this 3,011-mile repo-special appears virtually showroom-fresh. Carfax says this car is a clean, one-owner affair, and the auction company hasn't put it in the "inoperative vehicle" group, so we're guessing it's another case of financial over-reach brought back down to reality. If it were us, we'd be hiding this thing in a garage more secret and secure than Dick Cheney's undisclosed location while we sold an organ or two on the black market to pay its bills. You've got a spare kidney, but it's not like the GTR comes along every day. If you've actually got the finances to purchase a GT-R and think this one may be a bargain, you'll have to move fast - the auction is today. As long as you can make one or two payments before you start selling off pieces of yourself, you'll be fine. This tip comes to us from our friends at Hemmings, who also hooked us up with the Carfax, posted after the jump. Thanks David!
[Source: Richmond Auto Auction]Continue reading Now's Your Chance: Repo'd Nissan GT-R up for auction Now's Your Chance: Repo'd Nissan GT-R up for auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsNissan skipping SEMA this year, Mazda limiting presenceFiled under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Tuners, Mazda, Nissan, Holden 
Troy Lee Designs Mazda6 from SEMA 2008 - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Participation at last year's SEMA show was notable for its absences, with the event's organizers struggling at the last minute to fill vacated floor space with companies that would have normally been shunned to the outer regions of the Las Vegas Convention Center. As the economic melt-down continues, last year's trend has extended from parts suppliers and mom-and-pop operations to big-name automakers.
Last year, Nissan formally announced that it would only attend one show per continent during its fiscal year (April 1 through March 31) and since Nissan considers SEMA to be one of the "major" shows in North America, it won't be attending the 2009 aftermarket extravaganza. Nissan's Darryll Harrison told us that the automaker wouldn't be participating in any more U.S. expos this year, and with its fiscal year ending in March of 2010, don't expect Nissan to appear at another event in the States until late 2010 (read: LA Auto Show).
Mazda's participation at SEMA will be significantly reduced this November, with the automaker deciding to forgo formal Mazda or Mazdaspeed stands in favor of releasing a few vehicles to select aftermarket firms to trick-out and display at their own booths. Mazda's Director of Communications, Jeremy Barnes, justifies the scaling back of its trade-show presence by saying, "We have chosen to focus our funds where we can directly access consumers" and SEMA isn't it. Barnes went on to say that the new Mazda3 will be prominently featured at this year's event, with at least two models being built for show duty with the automaker's full cooperation, along with a few yet-to-be-disclosed projects.
General Motors and Ford are expected to attend, although the jury is still out on Chrysler, and Honda is currently evaluating their presence, although it may be reduced compared to previous years. No matter what automakers pull-out of this year's show, expect less products on tables, fewer vendors on the floor and even fewer attendees as the aftermarket continues to struggle to keep its head above water.
Nissan skipping SEMA this year, Mazda limiting presence originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 May 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Nissan blog
Nissan History
Skyline history
Skyline GT-R R32 to R34
Skyline modifying
Nismo 400R
Latest Nissan News
Super Cars
Green Cars, Reviews & Buying tools
Streetcars
Performance, Modified Cars
Oz Free Car blogs
Best blog for car tips
|
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg)
