Nissan and Infiniti will be completely invisible at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that begins later this month.
The company announced in November it was pulling out of the all-important auto show. Local Nissan-Infiniti dealers in Detroit decided they would fill the floor space themselves with models from their own showrooms. But, now, Nissan has asked them not to, and the New York Times reports the dealers have agreed. Reluctantly.
It is one thing for Nissan to pull-out of Detroit to save money. This is, after all, the worst car-buying economy in decades. But you have to wonder why Nissan won't let its dealers spend their own money to truck in -- and show off -- some of the best cars new models available to thousands of automotive reporters and television news crews from every part of the globe.
So here's some of what Nissan and Infiniti won't be getting coverage about --
The new Infiniti G37 convertible and the re-designed sedan. Both models are beauties, ranked as one of the Top Ten Cars of 2009 by Car and Driver magazine.
The Nissan Versa, one of the most fuel efficient small cars on the market. And it saves green another way -- it is one of the most affordable vehicles on the road. The 2009 Nissan Versa Sedan 1.6 model starts at under $10,000 -- not by much, but under $10,000 with an MSRP of just $9,990. But even this most basic Versa has a 107HP, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and kicks out an impressive 34 mpg highway fuel economy rating with the 5-speed manual transmission.
The Nissan Altima Hybrid, which uses Toyota's highly regarded hybrid system, plus has all the creature comforts, safety features and design elements as the best-selling 'regular' Altima.
The new Nissan Cube, a square-ish four-door that is assymetrical, with a partially-wrapped rear window on one side, but not the other, a refrigerator-style -- not a lift-gate -- rear cargo door, and a souped up sound system that will appeal to the youthful buyers that are its target market.
And, of course, the legendary, iconic Nissan 370Z. For 2009, this legendary vroomer has received its first full re-design inside and out since it was brought back to the market in 2003. Not for nothing, this baby has a seven-speed automatic transmission, and the six-speed manual boasts world's first synchronized downshift rev-matching system. That's a perk most often found on the racetrack. Oh, and did I mention a 332HP engine?
What is Nissan thinking?
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