EDITION 125 (2012/02/13)

News and Views

NISSAN BRAZIL AUTOMOTIVE SPONSOR OF THE RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

Nissan Brazil has become the automotive sponsor of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The deal guarantees the provision of 4 500 vehicles of different models which are required by Rio 2016™ at games time to transport clients, such as athletes, technical officials, media, operational teams, National Olympic Committees, International Sports Federations, the International Olympic Committee and commercial partners. The Games-time car fleet will prioritise the use of clean energy (ethanol or electricity) supporting Rio 2016™’s efforts to achieve sustainability targets across the Games.

“Nissan is very proud to be a partner of Rio 2016™,” Carlos Ghosn, CEO and President of Nissan, said. “Our multiple connections with Brazil are deep; in 2014 we open a new world-class manufacturing plant in Resende, state of Rio de Janeiro. As a showcase for the energy and vision of Brazil, the Olympic Games are a natural fit for Nissan. We look forward to contributing towards making the Rio 2016™ Games a world-class event for the city, state and country.”

In addition to the sustainability goals, Nissan has a comprehensive plan to support Rio 2016™’s goals that will include a programme to support young aspiring athletes on their road to the Games, legacy programmes which aim to create positive lasting social impact, and inclusive marketing programmes designed to spread the Olympic experience throughout Brazil.

To support the excellence of Games operations, Nissan will also provide a wide range of services, such as driver training and expertise for logistics solutions to meet the complexity of the event.

 

NISSAN’S INVITATION TO ALL

Nissan has revealed the first details of a head-turning hatchback concept which previews the company's next generation compact car, a mainstream B-segment contender to be sold alongside the Micra city car and innovative JUKE B-segment crossover.

Called INVITATION, the dynamic concept - which will be unveiled at this year's Geneva International Motor Show (March 8 to 18) - shows some of the innovation and excitement promised for the new model, which is due to be launched in Europe from 2013.

INVITATION is an energetic design, bringing fresh style, innovation and excitement to the mainstream market. The clean fluidity of the silhouette hints at its dynamic potential and showcases class-leading aerodynamics for enhanced efficiency.
 
The side of the car is dominated by a distinctive character line, known internally as the ‘Squash Line', which adds a powerful dynamism to its profile with distinctive sculpted front and rear wings giving INVITATION a confident stance.

But INVITATION is more than just a great looking car that's fun and frugal to drive. The concept packs some of the most advanced technology ever seen in the B-segment, all of which is designed to ensure the car is as safe as possible.

Among the features is Nissan's advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) safety technology - seen for the first time on a B segment car - which makes reversing and parallel parking as stress-free as possible. In addition, INVITATION also incorporates Nissan Safety Shield Technologies, which interact with the driving environment keeping the driver aware of what is happening around the car.

 
MARKETING NEWS

 

Micra Diesel

 

Rapport’s InRat journalist Anzet du Plessis was blown away by the 1.5ℓ dCi Acenta: 

“Toe die laaste van die vorige generasie diesel-gedrewe Nissan Micras verkoop is, het dit R180 500 gekos. Dit maak die jongste diesel-Micra, waarvan die laken pas afgegly het, heel moontlik die winskoop van die jaar.”

Nissan National Half Marathon – Tulbagh

 
The National ULTRA Marathon #2 – Tulbagh will take place in the Western Cape on Saturday.  Tulbagh is a circular loop race and starts at the Saronsberg wine estate 5 km outside Tulbagh and finishes at the same venue.  Mountain bikers can choose from a variety of distances at this event: 120 km, 75 km, 45 km and a 20-km fun race.  Tulbagh offers visitors a wide variety of activities and outstanding accommodation, not to mention the largest concentration of national monuments in one street in South Africa. The event also offers an abundance of breathtaking mountain bike trails that are sure to challenge even the most adventurous. 

Entries close tomorrow.

For more information, please visit www.advendurance.com

 

Nissan National Half Marathon – Sabie

 

The National ULTRA Marathon #3 – Sabie is a circular loop race and starts at the York Timbers Sports Grounds in Sabie, Mpumalanga, and finishes at the same venue.  The race takes place in Sabie on February 26.  This legendary route zigzags up to the ‘hartebeest vlakte’ plateau, through which some 3 000 participants will pass.  The race has been in existence for four years and has grown tremendously.

Entries close on February 22.

For more information, please visit www.advenduarance.com

 

Nissan National Half Marathon - Wellington

This popular race will again be co sponsored by Nissan SA and Droomers Nissan will showcase vehicles and man a watering point. Our friendly sales staff will be available to answer all your Nissan questions. Details of the event are as follows:

Date: 25/26 August 2012
Venue: Diemersfontein wine & country estate, Wellington, WP S 33 39 33.7 | E 19 00 15.8
Terrain: Fynbos | Rocky | Vineyard's
Elevation: 341m | Ascent: 2900m (ultra) 1850m (75km)
Participants: 1800+
Features: Single tracks | Dams | Old Cape-Epic Routes
Registration: Fri 24/08 14:00-21:00 & Sat 25/08 06h30 - 16h00 & Sun 26/08 06h30 - 08h30

This event takes place on farm roads and jeep tracks heading away from Diemersfontein, through the vineyards and farms of Wellington, crossing the Bainskloof Pass road and heading towards Groenberg Mountain. The well-balanced, fast route is jam-packed with beautiful views, fynbos, historic farmsteads, stream crossings and vineyard settings, passing many of the local award-winning cellars. Expect fast flowing single track, technically within reach of everyone.

The Wellington Tourism & Wine Route of the Western Cape in South Africa is today a major tourist attraction. Nestling at the foot of the Groenberg, the historic town of Wellington lies in a picturesque valley on the banks of the Kromme River with the majestic Hawequa Mountains standing guard on its eastern border. Wellington, in the heart of the Boland and rich in cultural, religious and educational history, is an unsurpassed area to enjoy the winelands and scenery of the Western Cape in South Africa

The beauty of the area is best viewed either by foot, horse, bicycle or by car to take in the scenery of nature, fynbos, wine, olives and the historical buildings to name but a few. The pass up to Bain's Kloof winds through pine tree plantations, to the summit where on a clear day you can see a vast area, consisting of the Swartland to the left, home of the extensive wheat fields, the Cape Flats and Cape Town to the right, and the sun glimmering on the sea.

Diemersfontein is known for its beauty, informal elegance, and grace - an idyllic country destination only 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town and is situated near the Cape's famous Wine Routes. We warmly invite you to share with us the tranquil spirit of Diemersfontein - whether you are conferencing here, marrying here, staying for a few days of leisure (or even permanently) - or taking some of it home in a bottle!

We will also have a 5km kiddies ride in the venue so bring along your kids to the event, they will have a ball!

For more information, please visit www.advendurance.co.za

 

AFTERSALES NEWS

 

Parts pricing

 

The recommended retail prices for New Micra Restraint parts - such as airbag sensors and modules, side- and curtain rail airbags - have been reviewed and drastically reduced to ensure our vehicles are kept on the road for longer, especially after accidents.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Nissan Brazil achieved the #1 position among Asian brands in January and ranked 6th in the Brazilian automotive market.  With 8 383 units sold and a market share of 3,3%, NBA registered a sales growth of 154% versus January 2011.

Nissan achieved a 15% year-on-year rise in January sales in Europe to 55 098 units, supported by the sale of models manufactured in Europe.  In a flat market, Nissan increased its monthly share by 0,6% to 4,2% overall in January, with locally-produced models accounting for nearly 80% of sales.  Russia is Nissan’s largest single European market and is where the company achieved its biggest monthly increase - from a 5,7% share in January 2011 to 7,4% in 2012.

Other top performing markets in January included France and the UK, both of which increased sales by 22% year-on-year.  While market share in Italy climbed to 4%, and a 4,6% share was achieved in the Nordic region (comprising Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Baltics).