Nissan has seemingly been immune to the sales crunch so many other automakers have been experiencing, so it comes as some surprise that the Japanese automaker announced yesterday that it is scaling back production of its until recently strong-selling Altima and just-launched Maxima. The cuts come in response to a 40 percent fall off in Altima sales and lukewarm reception to the Maxima.
Nissan will produce 4,250 fewer Altima sedans, coupes and hybrids in 2008 than the automaker had intended and it’s reducing Maxima production by 900 units – a fairly large number given Nissan’s relatively low sales expectations for its flagship sedan.
As other automakers continually post dramatically reduced sales, Nissan had been posting good numbers thanks to strong Altima, Versa and Sentra sales. The automaker hasn’t announced any cuts for the smaller models and most analysts predict that 2009 will be a decent year for the automaker. Nissan was one of the first to put a focus on small, efficient cars with upscale features and that gamble has paid off as gas prices increased.
“The cars themselves, particularly Altima, are not selling badly in relation to the rest of the industry,” said Haig Stoddard of industry analyst Global Insight. “But demand for a lot of typically strong sellers will be down simply because the overall market is drying up.”
Nissan doesn’t seem too concerned by the cuts.
“It was a tough month of economic factors for everybody,” Katherine Zachary, a spokeswoman for Nissan North America, told Automotive News.
10/23, 10:01 AM
posted by:
Borat
4,250 Altimas is about 2-3% of volume in US. Maxima production can be closed altogether, useless model.
10/23, 10:04 AM
posted by:
pavlindrom
some could argue
10/23, 10:19 AM
posted by:
inspire
The current Maxima is light years ahead of the car it replaces — goes back to its roots (which is a 4 door sports sedan) and fits nicely between the Altima and its big brother, the G35 (well, G37) sedan.
Not surprised by cutting back production numbers. What’s the point of making cars that won’t sell? Better to have less product to keep things nice and “lean”, rather than stuck in product sitting idle on the lot. Dealers have to ride it out — wait for the economy to turn around. While they wait, they’ll just pray it’ll turn around sooner than later.
10/23, 10:24 AM
posted by:
Generalkills
As much as I love Nissan, I have to agree with Borat. While I think the Maxima is a nice looking car, I can’t really see the point of it, I mean that’s just about G35 money.
10/23, 10:44 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
The new Max looks like hell. I’ve seen all of only one on the road, and was astounded at how strange it looks. It may be lightyears ahead of an Avalon and better looking, but it is still hideous, with a style that screams “I am trying to look good despite my intrinsic ugliness.”
The only semi decent exterior auto designs from Japan recently are out of Mazda, and even those are going downhill.
10/23, 11:38 AM
posted by:
Borat
I think Altima is quite good looking. It survived even minor style update after initial run of 4 years. Actually, lately most of Nissan cars are decent looking, not Ferraris, but they cost less as well. Perhaps this is because association with Renault. French cars are notoriously hard to maintain (to a point of extinction from US market) but easy to look at. I just described a decent mistress.
10/23, 11:57 AM
posted by:
mugengsr
I think the Maxima is sharp. Way better than its predecessor.
10/23, 12:02 PM
posted by:
buytheredcar
Personally, I think the new Maxima is one of best looking sedans in along time. The price is high though, might as well get a rear drive Infiniti.
Nissan should be saving millions by moving their headquarters to ….Nashville…right?
10/23, 12:09 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Introducing the new Nissan Maxima: the four door sports car for people who honestly wouldn’t know what to do with a real sports car if they were snapped in the ass by a rubber band from a CVT.
10/23, 12:11 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
The Maxima looks great, EXCEPT for the nose which i think looks horrible. Approach one from behind, and you think “nice looking car” – then you get to the front, and it’s like “YUK!”
The bigger problem for the Maxima is the Infiniti G37. You have to be a major Maxima and FWD fanboy to pick it over the Infiniti G37 for only a few grand difference. Not to mention you get a better warranty and better service with the Infiniti.
10/23, 12:17 PM
posted by:
WAYNE WEATHERSBY
WAIT A MINUTE? OFF 40%….IF THAT WAS A CHRYSLER PRODUCT EVERYONE WOULD BE BLOWING THIS STORY UP???????? YES THE ALTIMA IS A NICE CAR, BUT IMAGINE THAT….THEY ARE SLOW TOO, SO IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT A WELL BUILT CAR…LETS GET EVERYONE BACK ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD…WHEN BUSINESS COMES BACK, PLUS $28k FOR AN ALTIMA??????? YOUR GETTIN AWAY FROM THE ONES WHO CAN AFFORD IT.
10/23, 12:24 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Z06ified, the first part of the post described a woman I knew…
10/23, 12:36 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
Retarded headlight design + pointless market position = FAILURE.
Reallocate resources to make the Altima the undisputed #1.
10/23, 12:56 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
Have to agree with the comments on the G. For just a couple of grand more, the G is simply the better performance vehicle; and the G now comes in 7 speed automatic form. I agree that the new Maxima is a real looker but it’s sandwiched too closely between the Altima and the G.
10/23, 2:35 PM
posted by:
Borat
beatusmongous, was she Jewish or Italian?
10/23, 3:20 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
The Maxima looks great, EXCEPT for the nose which i think looks horrible. Approach one from behind, and you think “nice looking car†– then you get to the front, and it’s like “YUK!â€
Sort of like old women who do Yoga They look young as hell from the back but they look like hell from the front
10/23, 4:53 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
DAMM!!! I hope they are saving up to buy some of Chrysler…. BAMM!!!!