Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
May 14, 2013 01:00 AM

Nissan plans potentially polarizing changes to top-selling Qashqai

Nick Gibbs
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    The Resonance concept hints at the look of Nissan's future crossovers.

    SUNDERLAND, England – Nissan promises an innovative new look for the second-generation Qashqai compact crossover – the automaker's top-selling model in Europe – when the replacement debuts early next year.

    "There's a risk associated with changing it. We acknowledge that, but if you're a leader in a segment, I think you should innovate," Nissan global head of product planning Andy Palmer told Automotive News Europe at the automaker's plant here. "Don't expect to see the future Qashqai looking like the current car with a few extra radiuses here and there."

    Nissan hinted at its future plans for the crossover segment with the Resonance concept that debuted at the Detroit auto show in January. Nissan says the Resonance "is meant to be provocative, energetic and engaging – even polarizing. Its edgy yet sophisticated design provides a clear, exciting view into the future of crossover innovation."

    Nissan's 'backbone'

    The risk is that a dramatic design change could turn off the buyers who have made the Qashqai Nissan's No. 1 seller in Europe and the No. 8 overall seller in the region. In 2012, six years after it was launched, European sales fell less than a percent to 207,885, according to JATO Dynamics. By comparison, all the other cars in the top 10 had double-digit declines in sales compared with 2011. Through three months of 2013 the Qashqai was Europe's No. 7 seller with a volume of 61,886 units, putting it ahead of comparable sized rivals such as the Ford Focus (61,254) and Opel/Vaxuhall Astra (51,988). "The Qashqai forms the backbone of Nissan's range in Europe, but has also been very popular across the world in various guises, including being the basis of the Rogue in North America," said IHS Automotive analyst Ian Fletcher.

    The new-generation Qashqai will be revealed in November with production expected to start in December, a spokesman said. While its looks will change, the Qashqai's target market won't, said European head of sales and marketing Paul Willcox. "We have very clearly defined the Qashqai against the VW Golf," he said. "I find it very hard to believe we would change that position."

    The spokesman, however, said the car would benchmark compact hatchbacks in more areas, including CO2 emissions. No engines have been confirmed but the Qashqai is expected to get a version of the 1.2-liter three-cylinder supercharged gasoline engine that has helped reduced CO2 for both the Micra and new Note subcompacts to 95 grams per kilometer from previous figures of around 110g/km to 120g/km. The Qashqai with the lowest CO2 output currently is 1.6-liter diesel that emits 119g/km.

    The car will be built on Nissan's new Common Module Family (CMF) platform that will underpin the majority of compacts sold in Europe and elsewhere by the Japanese automaker as well as alliance partner, Renault. Palmer confirmed the CMF's platform has been designed to accommodate a hybrid drivetrain but he declined to say whether the new-generation Qashqai will offer a variant with the powertrain.

    He did, however, say that Nissan will launch a plug-in hybrid model in Europe by 2015. "From an economics point of view, plug-in hybrids are beginning to make sense in Europe when you look at regulations," Palmer said.

    A plug-in hybrid has the ability to travel on full-electric power but also includes a small fuel-powered engine to help recharge the battery or power the car to extend range. Limited range is one of the factors affecting sales of full-electric cars such as Nissan's Leaf, which has so far failed to meet volume goals in Europe and the United States.

    Andy Palmer: "Transaction prices should be equal to the German Big 3."
    NEW E-MAGAZINE

    This story is from the current issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine, an exciting new product that is also available to read on our iPhone and iPad apps.You can download the new issue as well as past issues by clicking here.

    Getting bigger

    The new Qashqai will be larger than the first-generation model, said David Moss, who has been responsible for the new car in his role as head of vehicle development at Nissan in Europe. Moss wouldn't go into details about measurements or performance figures, but he did say the new car will be more aerodynamic than the current model to help further improve its CO2 figures.

    Even with its new design, increased size and performance improvements, Nissan could struggle to maintain its dominance in the segment. "Many of the players have studied the Qashqai and drilled down to what are the most important traits," IHS' Fletcher said. Rivals that copied Nissan's formula include Kia with the Sportage and Hyundai with the ix35.

    Added Fletcher: "If they can improve the premium/quality perception while at the same time maintaining the price, this could help it."

    It's essential that Nissan pushes the boundaries with the car, Palmer said: "Qashqai invented a segment that didn't exist. The next one will innovate the segment again on both looks and technology."

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    VW agrees to buy $4 billion worth of lidar components from Israel's Innoviz
    Recommended for You
    Innoviz Daily Drive.jpg
    VW agrees to buy $4 billion worth of lidar components from Israel's Innoviz
    2022 ANE Rising Stars winners
    Automotive News Europe awards the 2022 Rising Stars
    Andreas-Christoph Hofmann 2021 Eurostars
    Hyundai marketing VP Andreas-Christoph Hofmann to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
        • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us