Burlapp Find: 2013 Nissan Altima?

I've got to say, if this is indeed what Nissan is bringing out for the next gen Altima, wow, looks great!

Source with analysis;

http://www.burlappcars.com/2011/08/2013-nissan-altima.html

Honda says studying shift overseas to avoid yen effect

* Working under assumption of 80 yen to dollar over next 3 years

* Exports from Japan unsustainable at current dollar-yen rate -CFO

* Discussion of shifting output to continue until last minute -CFO

* Not optimistic that yen will weaken -CFO

* Honda move could put pressure on Toyota, Nissan (Adds details)

By Chang-Ran Kim, Asia autos correspondent



TOKYO, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co is studying possible production bases overseas to replace export-bound car production in Japan that has been battered by a strong yen, a top executive said on Tuesday.

Japanese auto executives have repeatedly warned that the yen had strengthened beyond what domestic exporters could cope with, but Honda Chief Financial Officer Fumihiko Ike's comment was the first indication so far that any concrete steps are being considered to reduce output in Japan.

"We currently have a three-year plan under which we are assuming a rate of 80 yen to the dollar," Ike told a small group of reporters at Honda's headquarters in Tokyo.

"And under that assumption, the discussion to look for an alternative production base is inevitable."

Ike tempered his comments by stressing that jobs in Japan needed to be protected, and that the discussion would continue right up to the point when the board makes a formal decision, taking into account exchange rates at that time.

But he said he was not necessarily optimistic that the yen would weaken, and that Honda was bracing itself for further appreciation towards 70 yen to the dollar after Japan's solo intervention last week did little to stem the dollar's fall. The U.S. currency was fetching around 77.00 yen on Tuesday.

"Protecting Japanese manufacturing and building cars here is becoming more and more difficult," Ike said. "We can keep the technology here, but if we were to build cars in Japan, they may be good (quality) products but they would be too expensive. And an expensive product is not necessarily a good product."

EXPORT EXPOSURE

Among Japan's top automakers, third-ranked Honda is the least exposed to excessive domestic production, exporting just 30 percent of its Japan-made cars last year. Toyota Motor Corp exported 53 percent, while Nissan Motor Co shipped 59 percent.

All three automakers have a basic strategy of creating a natural hedge against currency swings by producing as many cars as they can where they are sold. But for smaller markets where demand is insufficient to build a factory, production has been concentrated in Japan.

"At these exchange rates we lose competitiveness on these exports, and that leads to a fall in sales, triggering a vicious cycle," Ike said. "And when that happens, the natural consequence is for that production (in Japan) to disappear."

Ike said Honda had already gone down that path with motorcycles, expanding production in India, Vietnam and Indonesia. Honda imports many motorcycles into Japan from Thailand and China.

If Honda takes a similar step with cars, it could put pressure on rivals Toyota and Nissan to do the same and lead to a hollowing out of Japanese manufacturing, one of the main drivers of the country's economy.

Toyota and Nissan have been more vocal than Honda about protecting domestic production, with Toyota pledging 3 million vehicles a year of output in Japan and Nissan pledging 1 million.

Nissan said this week it plans to boost its sales in the shrinking Japanese market to keep the 1 million annual production target as it shifts more export-bound output overseas.

"Car makers are trying hard to cut costs to absorb the currency impact, but there's a limit to the speed and scope of what they can achieve," said Credit Suisse auto analyst Issei Takahashi.

"Even if they build a lot in Japan, if they lose money by doing so they won't be able to protect jobs. I think it's inevitable that some production shifts overseas." (Editing by Edmund Klamann)

Source;

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/09/honda-idUSL3E7J922O20110809

WoodysCarSite Find: Next Gen Nissan Maxima?

With the exception of the current Maxima, I have always been a fan, I love how these cars drive and I have even heard that when Honda looks at their Accord, they always look to see what the Maxima is doing....
Source;
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/05/next-nissan-maxima-teana.html

EGMCarTech: Let’s Talk Numbers: Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6 vs. Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SR V6

Our senior editor Chris Chin recently went out and leased a 2011 Honda Accord Coupe V6. Coming out of owning a used Jaguar X308 XJ8 (which he only owned for a couple of months after swearing to keep the car for a lifetime), Chris found himself in an Accord Coupe V6 with a manual transmission. How does he like? Well, he’s put together a review for you guys (which will be published tomorrow) and has promised to provide monthly updates during his ownership of the vehicle.

Either way, I thought it would be nice to have a ‘Let’s Talk Numbers’ war with the 2011 Honda Accord Coupe V6 against its closest rival before we publish the review tomorrow. Here is the 2011 Honda Accord Coupe V6 vs. the 2011 Nissan Altima Coupe V6.

Make sure you check out our previous Let’s Talk Number wars.

2012 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6:
Style: Coupe.
Drive Type: Front-wheel-drive.
Power: 3.5 liter V6 / 271-hp at 6,000 rpm (6,200 w/ 6-speed manual) – 254 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed manual; 5-speed automatic (available with paddle shifters).
0 to 60 mph: 5.5 seconds.
Top speed: 130 mph.
Fuel-economy: 17/26 mpg (city/highway) w/ manual; 19/29 mpg w/ automatic.
Curb Weight: 3,410 lbs.
Price: $29,730.

2011 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SR V6:
Style: Coupe.
Drive Type: Front-wheel-drive.
Power: 3.5 liter V6 / 270-hp at 6,000 rpm – 258 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed manual; Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
0 to 60 mph: 5.8 seconds.
Top speed: 130 mph.
Fuel-economy: 18/27 mpg (city/highway) w/ manual; 20/27 mpg.
Curb Weight: 3,294 lbs.
Price: $28,210.

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/05/23/lets-talk-numbers-honda-accord-coupe-v6-vs-nissan-altima-coupe-v6/

2012 Nissan Versa preview

The exterior is more dynamic or sporty looking blend mix by feel luxury little bit, The taillight is same a design but differrent in detail. The wheelbase is 2,700 mm. longer than 2012 Honda Civic. Source; http://www.autoincar.com/spyshot-2012-nissan-tiida-in-china-before-auto-shanghai-show-2011/

Honda still Japan's No. 2 -- in market capitalization

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. jumped ahead of domestic rival Honda Motor Co. in global sales last year to become Japan's second-biggest automaker.

But Honda is still No. 2 among Japan's carmakers in market capitalization. And last week, Honda improved on its standing with the second-largest market cap of any Japanese company, period.

Even as Honda slid behind Nissan in sales, investors were voting with their pocketbooks on Honda's solid earnings and its forecast for some of the fattest profits in the auto industry.

As Honda shares closed 2 percent higher on Feb. 1, local media were quick to report that its market capitalization eclipsed the previous No. 2, Japanese mobile phone provider DoCoMo. It was Honda's first time ranked second since the 1980s, Japan's Nikkei business daily said.

Not surprisingly, Toyota Motor Corp. -- the world's largest automaker in terms of global sales volume -- also is Japan's largest company in terms of market capitalization.

Toyota, with nearly twice as many outstanding shares as Honda, had a market capitalization of 12.03 trillion yen ($146.4 billion) at the Tuesday close of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Honda, whose shares have risen 26 percent since August, stood at 6.45 trillion yen ($78.5 billion). Nissan was No. 3 among automakers, capitalized at 3.94 trillion yen ($47.9 billion).

Source;
http://www.autonews.com/article/20110209/BLOG06/110209718/-1

Japan to sell fuel cell cars in 2015

-100 refuelling stations by 2015
-Four areas in Japan to benefit
-Progress is being made in Europe, too

Sales of hydrogen fuel cell cars will kick off Japan in 2015, car manufacturers and hydrogen suppliers jointly announced recently.

Although numbers of vehicles have not been discussed, the partnership of Honda, Nissan and Toyota said 2015 would mark the start of 'mass production' of fuel cells.

Hydrogen suppliers have committed to establishing a network of 100 refuelling stations in Japan to serve the cars.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said it would support the expansion of the hydrogen network.

Work is also underway on developing fuel cells and hydrogen refuelling in Europe. There are already a chain of refuelling points along the HyNor 'hydrogen highway' in Norway, between Oslo and Stavanger.

Mercedes is already trialing fuel-cell versions of the B-Class, while Kia and General Motors have both said they will sell 10,000 fuel cell vehicles each by 2015.

Source;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/japan-to-sell-fuel-cell-cars-in-2015/254919

Nissan Cube being pulled in Europe

What the?!? No more Element, no more Cube (don't worry, the Cube's still available in North America)? Where's a person find the next toaster on wheels?!? Huh? Kia Soul you say....
-No profit left in niche model

-Japanese exchange rate squeezed margins

-No more available once stocks run out

If you want to buy a quirky Nissan Cube you need to get your skates on because the company has confirmed it is withdrawing the model from European markets. Nissan says exchange-rate problems with the Yen and Euro mean it doesn't make any money on the car, so it will no longer be imported.

There is no central stock left, although dealers in London have a limited supply of the cars. Nissan said it was possible, but unlikely, that imports of the Cube would restart if exchange rates became more preferable.

No other niche models in the Nissan family, such as the Murano or GT-R, are affected and will continue to be available.

Source;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/nissan-cube-is-canned/254911

WoodysCarSite Find: Next Gen Nissan Z?

Wow, does that ever look nice, looks lower than the existing model, sleek....
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/01/2012-nissan-z.html