Nissan Micra Marches to Success

When Japanese manufacturer Nissan announced last year it plans to make the new Micra model (known as March in several markets) a global car, capable of selling equally as well in Europe or Thailand, it didn't even expect the car to have such a huge success.

In just two weeks since its introduction on its home market, the March, as it is known in Japan, managed to secure no less than 10,000 orders. A number which may not seem big, but exceeded, nearly three times over, even the most optimistic monthly target Nissan set for itself.

According to what Nissan was able to compile, 63 percent of the March buyers go for the 12X two wheel drive grade of the model. The most appealing color is Brilliant Silver (25 percent), while the interior is most pleasant when it comes in black.

In the domestic market, the vehicle comes equipped with a newly developed 1.2l 3-cylinder HR12DE engine with Idling Stop technology (standard in volume grades 12X and 12G). The feature helps the vehicle achieve a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy over 2010 standards and SU-LEV certification, emitting 75 percent fewer exhaust emissions than 2005 standards.

The March is equipped with ABS, EBD, SRS airbags and SRS side airbags, load limiter with pretensioners for the seatbelts, linked front wipers, dawn sensors and multi-reflector halogen headlights with manual control.

The new Micra, which will be marketed in 160 countries, is priced from 999,600 yen ($11,290) to 1,644,300 yen ($18,570) in Japan, including consumption tax. Prior to adding the above sales numbers, the carmaker planned to sell 4,000 units/month...