With the introduction and relative success of the Nissan Juke in the U.S. market, we really had our hopes up that this funky little crossover could be the gateway design to start bringing French cars into the states. Sure, it's no first-gen Fiat Multipla, but the Megane is a visually interesting little car (that happens to be quite fast), and the Kangoo and Clio would certainly spice up the compact van and hatch categories. And then there's the Wind Roadster. Because, well, why not?
Well, why not is because Carlos Ghosn doesn't want to. More than doesn't want to, Carlos Ghosn is using "facts" and "statistics" to support his decision to focus on Renault's introduction in China. When pressed on the U.S. he said it would not return "in the foreseeable future."
Though, really, with the difficulty that Fiat is having reintegrating with normal American society, maybe we're just not ready for French, err, Freedom Cars. And if the Italians can't sell a stylish compact in the U.S., good luck to the French trying to sell a vehicle called the Traffic Generation.
throwback says:
10:48 AM, 01/13/12
Makes sense, why compete with Nissan? Not to mention the cost of re-establishing the brand in the USA.
wjtinatl says:
12:15 PM, 01/13/12
C'est la vie. Renault never elicited the following Fiat did, I don't think anyone is clamoring for a new LeCar.
moparbad says:
01:00 PM, 01/13/12
Would like to see Nissan offer the "Logan project" vehicles in the United States and Canada.
Perhaps using Datsun branding.
Logan is a line of vehicles sold under the Dacia, Renault or Nissan brand that are low cost, very basic vehicles. There is a sedan, a pickup (small unibody trucklet like the old Dodge Rampage), a small sport utility, a hatchback, and a station wagon van type vehicle.
throwback says:
01:05 PM, 01/13/12
moparbad, I read somewhere that Nissan was/is thinking about reviving the Datsun name for some low cost cars. Perhaps that's one way to do it, but they would have to be priced substantially lower than Nissans. The Versa is already pretty cheap.
bodyblue says:
08:51 AM, 01/15/12
"I don't think anyone is clamoring for a new LeCar."
LOL +1000 no kidding.