The all-new Nissan Atlas truck was launched in Japan on 25th September 2023, a badge engineered version of 7th generation Isuzu Elf.

Nissan launched the all-new Atlas light and medium duty truck in Japan on 25th September 2023, price from 6006000 Japanese Yen (RM 191k).

The all-new Nissan Atlas truck is a badge engineered version of 7th generation Isuzu Elf which was launched earlier in March 2023. It is powered by Isuzu 4JZ1-TCS diesel engine with 3000cc displacement, model code given is F26.

3 variant of Nissan Atlas F26 truck are offered such as light duty, medium duty and electric powered.

 

About the transmission variant, same as 7th generation Isuzu Elf , Nissan Altas F26 comes with either 9 speed DCT (Dual-Clutch transmission) or 6 speed manual. In addition, Nissan Atlas F26 is equipped with advance safety system like Isuzu Elf such as:

1. Lane Departure Warning Sytem

2. Front Blind Spot Monitor

3. Adaptive Driving Beam

4. Emergency Driving Stop System & Driver Emergency Assist System

5. Adaptive Cruise Control

6. Pre-collision Braking System

and more....

For your information, after the discontinuation of Nissan made Altas F24 in 2021, Nissan began to rebadge Isuzu truck since 2019 with F25 Altas truck.

 

The all-new Nissan Atlas F26 truck is only sold in Japan home market. For export market (including Malaysia), we will get all-new Isuzu Elf truck instead.

* Photos are courtesy of Nissan Japan.

Nissan Lannia U15 had been discontinued in China since 2022 without the successor.

Nissan launched a C-segment sedan for China market only to target Chinese post-80's young buyers, known as Lannia (藍鳥), the name given literally is Bluebird in Chinese language, but it was unrelated to discontinued model Nissan Bluebird.

Based on Nissan B platform which shared with Nissan Latio, Livina and G11 Sylphy, Nissan Lannia was powered with HR16DE naturally aspirated engine with the transmission system either 5 speed manual or CVT.

Due to poor sales in China, Nissan Lannia was discontinued in 2022 without the successor. I have visited Nissan China website, Nissan Lannia was removed from its model lineup (as 11th October 2023).

 

From 2015 to 2022, Nissan Lannia was not launched any countries outside China, including ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Thailand etc.

From what I understand, Chinese car buyers prefer to buy cars from C-segment and above. That's why Nissan Sylphy B18 is very popular in China, the sales figure is more than Lannia. While Sylphy is sold at thousands units per month, but Lannia was sold at only hundreds or tens units per month. Hence, this led Lannia went end of production in 2022, together with E-segment sedan Maxima A36.

No U16 Lannia will be made as U15 had poor sales in China. 

As October 2023, Nissan China sedan lineup remains Sylphy B18 and Altima L34.

Lexus HS 2nd generation 2019/20

 

The pictures above may preview as second generation of Lexus CT as subcompact luxury hatchback to fight against Mercedes-Benz A-class, expected to be launched in 2019 or 2020.

 

 

For sedan variant, Lexus did have HS, but discontinued in 2017 due to poor sales, but I believe Lexus may continue to launch HS successor in short time, but Lexus HS can go smaller than 1st generation to avoid "cannibalizing" Lexus IS which served as compact executive sedan. According to some news, next generation of Lexus HS is expected to be launched around 2019 or 2020. Based on an article statement by Lexus executive advisor on February 2018, since Toyota North America's Lexus division executive advisor, Jeff Bracken stated that Lexus won't build entry-level vehicles to target downmarket and compete with Mercedes, I may believe next generation of Lexus HS and CT will not be available in North America. (http://www.autospies.com/news/Lexus-Refuses-To-Go-Further-Downmarket-To-Compete-With-Mercedes-96655/)

For second generation of Lexus HS, it is expected to be based on Toyota GA-C platform (aka TNGA-C) which shares with Toyota Corolla 2019, Toyota Auris 2019 E210, Lexus UX AA10 and Toyota C-HR. In the future, next generation of Lexus CT will be based on GA-C platform too. In addition, for engine options, I believe Lexus HS second generation will use Toyota Corolla 2019 engine with hybrid variant.

==Predicted basic technical specification of Lexus HS 2nd generation==

* Engine variant: 2ZR-FAE L4 (1800cc petrol), 2ZR-FXE L4 (1800cc hybrid), M20A-FKS L4 (2000cc petrol), M20A-FXS L4 (2000cc hybrid), 8AR-FTS L4 (2000cc turbo)

* Transmission: CVT or 6-speed manual (for performance F Sport variant)

* Platform: TNGA-C

==Predicted 2nd generation of Lexus HS series specification==

* HS180

* HS180h

* HS200

* HS200h

* HS200t

In Japan, 2nd generation Lexus HS can be available without having sister car Toyota Sai which already merged to Camry segment, meanwhile it can be available in Malaysia also, price is cheaper than Lexus IS and ES, estimated between RM160k-RM255k, depends on the powertrain variant. 

==Future position of Lexus sedan and hatchback==

* Flagship (full-size): LS (rival of Mercedes Benz S-class)

* Mid-size executive luxury RWD sedan: GS (rival of Mercedes Benz CLS, BMW 6 series 4 door coupe and Audi A7)

* Mid-size executive FWD sedan: ES (rival of Audi A6, BMW 5 series, Mercedes Benz E class)

* Compact executive sedan: IS (rival of Audi A4, BMW 3 series, Merceds-Benz C-class)

* Subcompact executive sedan: HS 2nd gen. (rival of BMW Audi A3 sedan, Mercedes CLA and BMW 1 series sedan)

*Subcompact executive hatchback: CT 2nd gen

 

CT>>HS>>IS>>ES>>GS>>LS

Lexus downmarket vehicles. UX is just present, CT is present too, where is sedan?

Lexus is a luxury division of Toyota Motor Corporation, L-series such as LS for sedan, LX for SUV and LC for coupe are flagship lineup by Lexus.

After Lexus launched all its flagship vehicles, Lexus went to mid-size vehicles and compact vehicles, such as:

Executive and mid-size luxury: GS and ES for sedan, RX and GX for SUVs
Compact executive: IS for sedan, NX for SUVs

This year, Lexus launches its smallest SUV to target downmarket consumer, that is UX subcompact crossover SUV to compete against Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3.

 

Within 2018, there is news reporting that Lexus refuses to make downmarket vehicles (Source: https://carbuzz.com/news/lexus-won-t-build-a-sub-30-000-entry-model-to-compete-with-mercedes) to compete with those entry-level vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. In my opinion, if Lexus makes subcompact executive vehicles to target downmarket, actually this can help Lexus to boost the sales for the brand.

For SUV, we have Lexus UX which already represent entry-level luxury crossover SUV, slotted below NX, this car will be launched in Malaysia around Q2 or Q3 2019, price can be more attractive when reach in Malaysia. Meanwhile Lexus does have entry-level vehicles in hatchback form, it is CT to compete Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 1 series hatchback, Volvo V40 and Audi A3.

How about sedan? Actually Lexus was used to have entry-level subcompact executive sedan which based on Toyota New MC platform, also rebadged of Toyota Sai, it was Lexus HS250h. Lexus HS250h (code: ANF10) was launched in 2009, but discontinued in 2017. It was slotted below than Lexus IS. This vehicle is not available in Europe and most of Asia countries, including Malaysia.

Since Lexus HS was discontinued in 2017, meanwhile its sister car Toyota Sai was discontinued together, but Toyota Sai was integrated into Toyota Camry XV70 with Toyota Mark X and Avensis. Therefore, in order to continue to attract downmarket buyers to buy entry-level Lexus vehicles, I hope Lexus will reallocate HS (Harmonious Sedan) position by launching second generation of HS as subcompact luxury sedan to compete with Audi A3 Sedan, Volvo S50, BMW 1 series sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Nissan reused chassis code from "5" for brand new car, not continuation? Why?

Nissan chassis code system normally is 1st alphabet and rest of two are numbers.

Example: XYZ

X is alphabet, Y is the car type, Z is the generation.

In the 1970s, every time Nissan changed new generation of the vehicles, Nissan used the chassis code by add 100 as newer generation, but until late 1970s. Example: Nissan Sunny

B10>B110>B210>B310 

While adding 100 for each generation, but +1 was used for emission or updates (facelift). Example: Nissan Urvan.

First generation: E20, but it had E21 and E22 as facelift with improvement of E20. So, second generation was E23.

Now, Nissan reused certain chassis code for its new cars, began from generation "5". Nissan Kicks is an example, using Nissan Primera P-chassis code, P15. Why is P15 on Kicks, not P13 as Primera was only until P12? Actually there is some reasons why Nissan does not use P13 for Kicks, instead P15.

Nissan Primera was European D-segment sedan, produced from 1990 till 2008, carried over three generation, P10, P11 and P12, meanwhile Kicks is B-segment subcompact crossover SUV. If Nissan allocates Kicks as P13, consumers will be confused that Nissan Kicks is succeeded by Primera in terms of chassis code, although they are completely different vehicle segment.

P12: Nissan Primera sedan
P15: Nissan Kicks SUV
<P13, P14 become a gap>

While using recycled chassis code for new models, begins from "5", Nissan actually keeps distance away from their old discontinued models chassis code range. So, P13 and P14 become a gap actually. Other than Kicks, and Primera, here are some examples.

S30/31: Nissan Fairlady Z (Roadster)
S35: Nissan Rouge SUV
<S32, S33, S34 become a gap>

F10/11: Datsun 100A/Cherry (A-segment supermini)
F15: Nissan Juke (B-segment SUV)
<F12, F13, F14 become a gap>

Nissan Lafesta is another different case, its first generation was B30, then second generation (based on Mazda 5) was B35.

In the future, for smaller cars range, Nissan may use these reused chassis code, starts from "15", such as:

- A15 (formerly was Stanza A10/11 where discontinued in 1981)
- C15 (unknown yet. Although Nissan Pulsar C13 was just discontinued in Europe 2 days ago, but Tiida C12 is still on sale in selected Asia countries, it is still unknown that Nissan will launch C14 to replace Tiida and Pulsar hatchback as conventional C-segment hatchback is denied)
- M15 (formerly was Prairie/Liberty M12 where discontinued in 2005)
- R15 (formerly was Presea R11 where discontinued in 2000 under Nissan Revival Plan)
- T15 (formerly was Stanza T12 where discontinued in 1990)
- W15 (formerly was Avenir W11 where discontinued in 2006)
- Z15 (unknown yet. Although Nissan Cube was discontinued for export markets in 2016/17, but it is still on sale in Japan, no replacement for Cube Z12 is announced, Nissan may discontinue Cube in the future)

If the Nissan code generation was only goes up to "0", Nissan can start from "1" for their new vehicles. Example:

C10: Nissan Skyline (compact sports sedan)
C11: Nissan Versa/Tiida/Latio (subcompact sports sedan)

E10: Nissan Cherry (A-segment supermini)
E11: Nissan Note (B-segment mini MPV)

J30: Nissan Maxima (D-segment sedan)
J31: Nissan Teana (D-segment sedan)

A30: Nissan Prince Gloria (executive sedan)  
A31: Nissan Cefiro (D-segment sedan)

- So, Nissan can use V11 for future model?

V10: Nissan Tino (MPV)
V11: future models?

Datsun low cost car, is it neccessary to be launched in Malaysia?

Before Datsun is resurrected in 2014 as low cost vehicles, Nissan A-segment is filled by March/Micra internationally, also with those kei cars like Moco, Dayz, Otti etc in Japan.

After Nissan March/Micra is upgraded as B-segment hatchback when comes to K14 generation and debuted in Europe last year, so Nissan A-segment is withdrawn from its lineup and taken over by Datsun.

Datsun is resurrected in 2014 as low cost cheap car, it targets emerging markets, BUT currently Datsun vehicles are only sold in Russia, India, Indonesia and South Africa, even Japan home market never receives Datsun.

Back to December 2013, according to Maybank research report, Tan Chong was reported to launch Nissan A-segment vehicle in 2015 (https://paultan.org/2013/11/26/tan-chong-launch-nissan-note-end-2014-new-segment-car-2015/), I guessed Tan Chong would launch either Nissan March K13 or Datsun Go in Malaysia, but both of them were off-cards from ETCM list.

As our neighboring country Indonesia is selling Datsun low cost vehicles, is there necessary to launch Datsun in Malaysia?

My answer is strictly NO! Datsun low cost vehicles don't meet Malaysia traffic safety requirement actually. In addition, I don't think Datsun vehicle line-up will fit to the taste of Malaysia car buyers as Malaysians go for "progressive-looked" vehicles, rather than "conservative", or "lousy" looked vehicles.

The A-segment Datsun Go got zero stars NCAP crash test in South Africa, meanwhile two stars crash test under Asean NCAP in Indonesia. Later on, Datsun Go got two starts South Africa NCAP crash test in 2017. In my opinion, Datsun low cost vehicles are worse than Perodua actually.

==ASEAN NCAP crash test between Datsun and Perodua== 

* Datsun Go (including Go+, Cross) = 2 stars

* Perodua Axia = 4 stars

* Perodua Myvi 2018 = 5 stars

* Perodua Bezza = 5 stars

* Perodua Alza = 4 stars

Due to low demand of Datsun low cost vehicles' buyers in Malaysia, also fail to meet Malaysia traffic safety requirements and regulations, I think it is not a need to launch Datsun vehicles by Edaran Tan Chong Motor.

2018 Nissan Leaf vs. 1987 Nissan Stanza Hatchback T12, which one is bigger or same size?

Nissan Leaf 2018

Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback

Nissan Leaf 2018 vs. Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback, which one is bigger or both of them are same? Let's analyzed.

For the class position, Nissan Stanza hatchback, Nissan Pulsar and Leaf are classified as C-segment. 

Nissan Pulsar C13

Nissan Leaf ZE1

Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback

In terms of size dimensions, 1987 Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback is larger than Nissan Leaf ZE1. Actually Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback size is far away bigger than Nissan Pulsar C13 due to its position is higher than Pulsar, but below the Bluebird. Nissan Stanza T12 is actually based on Nissan Bluebird U11 platform, where U11 and T12 have similar exterior design, but T12 was not widely exported. In the 1980s, Stanza is positioned between Pulsar and Bluebird in terms of size and dimensions. [Stanza was succeeded by Nissan Primera, then later Sylphy takes over Primera in 2005]

The all new generation of Nissan Leaf ZE1 2018 is a little bit larger than conventional Nissan Pulsar C13, but less dimension than Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback. Due to Nissan Pulsar is denied by Europe consumers and discontinued production on 12 September 2018 officially, besides Europeans prefer owning SUV, they're also preferring larger hatchback, but electric-powered vehicle. Although Nissan Leaf and Nissan Pulsar are under same segment (just different powered sources; Leaf is fully electric, then Pulsar is conventional petrol/diesel), but Leaf sells perfectly.

Larger than Pulsar C13, but smaller than Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback 1987, so if I compare these models, Stanza T12 is far away larger than Leaf. So, in term of the size, Nissan Leaf ZE1 is positioned between Nissan Pulsar C13 and Nissan Stanza T12 Hatchback 1987.

But, Nissan Leaf ZE1 has same size with 1995 Nissan Pulsar/Almera N15 where is heavily related to Nissan Sentra B14.

Leaf

 

 

   

Nissan Pulsar/Almera N15

==Final conclusion of size dimensions between Nissan Leaf vs. Stanza T12 hatchback/Nissan Pulsar (N15 and C13)==

1. Nissan Leaf ZE1=Nissan Pulsar N15 

2. Nissan Leaf ZE1<<Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback 

3. Nissan Pulsar C13<<Nissan Leaf ZE1

Nissan Pulsar C13<<Nissan Leaf ZE1<<Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback.