MICRA MAKES WAVES IN MEXICO
Nissan has recently started exporting the popular supermini there following the cars successful South African launch in May.
Mexican exports, all five-door, will reach a forecast of 3,000 units a year from 2005. Customers are being offered the same 1.4 petrol Elegance grade as the five-door South African models.
This means all cars will feature keyless entry, engine immobiliser, 15 wheels, CD player and friendly lighting system as standard.
All of the left-hand-drive cars will be made at Nissan's Sunderland plant, which is already preparing for the production of the coupe/cabriolet Micra C+C from next autumn.
The main difference between Micras bound for Mexico, and the European version, is a raised and stiffened suspension to cope with the harsher road conditions.
Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltds Managing Director, Colin Dodge, commented: We now export Micra to over 25 markets worldwide, and were always looking for new opportunities.
We were very happy with the reception the Micra received from motorists on its European launch, and its good to see the cars attributes being recognised and appreciated in other markets around the world.
The first Micras have started to reach Mexico, while more than 2,200 have already found homes across South Africa.
Nissan's operations in Sunderland began in 1984, with the first vehicle, the Nissan Bluebird, coming off the production line in 1986. Since then, the car plant has grown to become the UK's largest, and has produced over 3.75 million vehicles to date.
ENDS