Nissan Micra's Low Price to Triple Sales

The new Nissan Micra presented by the Japanese carmaker at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show is expected to be a worldwide hit, as Nissan plans to price at an unbeatable level. The global compact car is expected to retail in Australia, for instance, at AU$13,500, a price comparable with the ones of the Hyundai i20, Holden Barina, Kia Rio and Toyota Yaris.

The aim of such a low price is to triple, or even quadruple the sales of the model. According to Nissan Australia CEO Dan Thompson, talking for GoAuto, the Micra currently sells around 400 units a month.

“Micra is the first breakthrough all-new core model to be introduced in 2010, that will take us from a state today where Nissan only plays in a very small niche part of the light segment, specifically as our current K12 Micra is a five-door auto-only,” the CEO said.

The new Micra which, according to Nissan, will be marketed in 160 countries, retains its compact dimensions, but is a bit longer and lower than the previous generation.

The Micra will offer two engines options (for Europe): a new naturally aspirated HR12 1.2l 3-cylinder petrol engine (80 ps/108Nm of torque) and a supercharged 1.2l direct injection iteration with a start-stop system (98 ps/142Nm of torque). Both units will be made available with a 5-speed manual gearbox or Nissan's all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).