TOKYO: The next generation of the Nissan Micra will aim to win back customers with much-improved interior quality, according to the firm’s executive vice-president, Trevor Mann.
The current Micra has suffered because of poor perceived quality. However, Mann believes its successor – due next year and based heavily on the Nissan Sway concept from this year’s Geneva Motor Show – will be more worthy of the Micra name.
Although he said production of the car could, in theory, return to Nissan’s UK plant in Sunderland, he defended its current base in India. Nissan manufactures the Micra at its Oragadam plant in Chennai.
“I don’t think you can blame India for the perception of quality,” he said. “You’ve got to blame the people who defined the product. The Micra’s not like that because it’s made in India. We have listened to feedback and I think you will see a big difference [in the next one].
“As for Sunderland, it was always a plant that was designed to be flexible. And it can make Micra. The debate is whether it can make it and make sense.” Mann also said the Micra is likely to grow for its next incarnation – and this could open up room for a new, smaller Nissan city car. “It’s always a possibility,” he said, “but I think if you look at that segment, there are still not huge volumes in Europe. It’s something that we will continue to study to see if there are opportunities.”
