The Z - Not A Popular Choice

Dizzy

Last year, #8 on the worst selling car in Canada list.

This year, #2 lowest sales by Volume - Nissan 370Z.

2011 sales: 453 (less than half the 2010 sales).

Hopefully most of that can be blamed on poor production because of the issues in Japan. But, based on the fact I see them sitting in the showrooms, I don't think that's the case. They simply aren't selling.

Our beloved car will be on the endangered list soon. Manfacturers don't like bringing cars to countries where they don't sell.

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6MT

Come on man .... It's not a Civic!

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Andrew

2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold
2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

Pharmacist

Retail price is at least 40k before taxes. After taxes it's almost 50k. That's a lot of dough for a car considering the average annual income is 40k or so. Not to mention it's not a very practical car, 2 seats, no trunk, etc. Also, only rwd, so not the easiest car to drive in winter. Another thing is the car is a bit too rough, too sporty, and too harsh for the non-enthusiasts among the poser crowds who may opt for something that looks like a sports car but rides like a lexus.

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2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

Dizzy

Don't get me wrong, I actually love the fact that my Z is unique and rare. Just wondering at what point does Nissan say "not worth it". 453 doesn't seem like much and manufacturers are all about sales figures, not keeping enthusiasts happy.

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KingZee

Actually, I'm pretty sure Nissan focuses its volume sales on cars like the Altima and Maxima (cash cows)...the 370Z is not built strictly for profit and production is hence limited so they make money, don't overproduce, and have a flagship car for a market/price range not too many companies are in...check the sales #s on the GTR, let me know what you find...Try Ferrari too, surprised they're still in business?

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Focus ST

Cmike2780

silly canadians

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

GaleForce

My local Nissan dealer imports more slightly used (demo) 370z's from the U.S. than ordering new Canadian models. Last summer they had 3 U.S. models and 1 Canadian model on the lot. The price difference is huge ~$10000+ in savings to buy the U.S. model.

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wheee!

Our local dealer (Canada's Largest Nissan Dealer) sells all of their Z's each year. Most to other dealers looking for cars, but still moves a lot here in Alberta. Plus GTR's too!

I am glad the car is unique and I don't see one on every corner, but I think Nissan knows that that having a unique, low volume car actually drives brand awareness and desire for their products. That means if someone sees a 370Z and goes "WOW! I want one of those" they might go to the dealer, look at the Z, maybe drive it, then ultimately drive home in an Altima or Maxima...
In the end, Nissan still wins.

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Elysium

I think it's the fact that the Z is a 2 seater being the main reason for the low sales volumes. They sell probably 10 times as many more expensive G37 coupes simply cause its a 2+2
But I do like the idea of owning a more exclusive car.

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2013 GT-R black edition.....with mods to come
2010 370Z stillen supercharged.....will be missed

GaleForce

Yes! The exclusivity is nice. That thought never crossed my mind until after I bought one. People are staring all the time, compliments all the time, at traffic lights, parking lots, even with my car in the garage with the door open people will say something positive when they walk by. I think it's hilarious, the attention a $50000 CDN car gets. My neighbours even drool over it and the one guy has a modded Z06 and the other has a Caddy XLR... nuts! lol

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gabo

you gotta compare it with cars around the same price dude. cant compare a Z with a corola or a civic which anyone can pretty much own with 0 down and pay like $200 a month. I mean, whoever buys this kind of cars its because he's(she) is a car lover. Z's have been around for a pretty long time and they've always been pretty pricy....the fact the still make them means nissan is gotta be doing something right lol

Dizzy

I'm not comparing the Z to anything in terms of sales. I'm simply stating it's 2nd from the bottom in total sales of all vehicles in Canada that are reporting within the general manufacturers. The point was not to draw any comparisons. The point was Nissan sold 453 Z cars (and that number is dropping rapidly), and that's next to nothing in car sales. Just about any other mainstream manufaturer would drop a vehicle from the Canadian market with sales that low.

There are TONS of cars and trucks out there that cost a lot more than the Z that are outselling it by a ton. The easiest example, B'mers. It is a fact that for all sorts of reasons, people buying cars at this price point are not buying Z's on mass. I understand why they don't sell a lot of them, I know the reasons. But 453? Wow! As a person who loves my Z more than any other vehicle I've ever owned, I find that shocking.

My observation is that with sales that low, could it be heading for another hiatus? It has taken a hiatus before and these days, major corporations just want to make money. At 453 units, is this profitable for Nissan?

On the positive side, the Z line is the best selling sports car line ever built. Thats a feather in Nissans cap and a damn good reason to keep it around!

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partsguy

By the nature of you saying it's on a list of others, you are making a comparison.

AWX Z34

Wow, this thread just got blown out of proportion .... the guy was just expressing the facts of Z's not selling enough. Personally, I'd rather have less Z's out there so it could be rare and still catch peoples eyes. Anyways, keep coming warm weather .... my Z is twitching to wake up!

I hope we have more better meets in the GTA this year!

Dizzy

Unfortunately, some will take the observation as a slight against the car and feel the need to defend to defend the low sales.

And I'm with ya on the warm weather, April 15 can't get here fast enough for me!!

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