Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck33079
But the Z is in no way the Halo car for Nissan. I'd argue it never was after the first Skyline rolled off the line. In fact, it's likely that the new Z (if one ever exists) will be neutered so it doesn't compete too much with the GTR. It's the same reason Porsche will never have the regular Cayman keep up with the base 911.
We all understand your feelings on the electric part, but it's just the way things are going. As long as major manufacturers get obscene tax benefits for making EVs, and CAFE regs push them to focus on EVs so they can continue to make trucks and SUVs, nothing is going to change.
Look, we all want there to be a new Z. But people don't matter to car companies. Shareholders matter, and they expect a return on investment. The market has turned, and analog "old school" sports cars do not make a company money unless they can amortize it down by selling a lower trim model like a V6 Mustang. Unless Nissan has a plan for a base Z with a NA 4 cylinder it can sell to coeds and hairdressers, a proper Z is a hard sell to the bean counters. Even if the new CEO turns out to be the biggest enthusiast in history, unless the shareholders make money he'll be thrown out on his ***. Companies that cater to the enthusiasts and do not have mainstream success end up like Lotus and TVR.
Personally, I'd rather that they kill the Z completely rather than making one that's a disgrace to the name.
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I know I'm that guy everyone wants to disagree with. But it makes no sense to contradict the Nissan product planner.
like I said. Nissan product planner already stated the Z means something in the way of inspiring sales throughout the brand.
So it's like you're defeating my point with your opinion and superseding Nissan's opinion that the car brings attention to the brand... Isn't that a halo car? A car that brings attention to the brand?
The GTR is a halo, but not in the same way as a Z. The Z is that car anyone can strive to purchase new. Where a GTR is just an ego car that serves a different aspect of the Halo group. The skyline couldn't even be a halo in the US as it spent 45 years a legend in Japan before they dropped the skyline name on the GTR n brought it here.
And Porsche did outdo the base 911 with the GT4.
If they even said that it proves they're getting nervous about the bad press surrounding the Z. They're probably starting to feel a minor backlash surrounding the Z and are trying to save themselves with weak press.
All the rest I agree. Car companies stopped caring in the 90's. They corrupted their own market by not being competitive in key moments and followed trends instead of setting them.