Whenever a well-known Japanese model fails to meet a certain target, buyers outside Japan tend to blame it all on... the Land of the Rising Sun. Seriously, people usually blame the engineers that built the vehicle for only focusing on what the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) clientele requires. The Nissan 370Z Roadster now comes to bust this myth, with the carmaker pulling the model off its home market.
Nissan has recently announced the end of the production for the Fairlady Z Roadster, the name worn by the sports car in Japan. This only refers to the JDM, with the move set to take place in September 30, 2014.
While the first question to be raised here targeted sales. Well, domestic sales of the 370Z Roadster reached 798 units as of April 2014. The local media sees this as a normal figure, so perhaps Nissan wanted the open-top version of its sportscar to retire while still in glory.
The Nissan 370Z Roadster has been on sale in Japan since October 2009, but Nissan now explains it wants to focus on the performance of the Fairlady Z, since the vehicle is heading into the last leg of its life. Let’s not forget that the automotive producer recently introduced the 2015 version of the 370Z Nismo. Compared to the 2014 model, the vehicle brings a new 7-speed automatic, as well as aerodynamic and handling upgrades.
Given the effervescent evolution of the automotive market’s go-fast segment, it isn’t all that strange to see Nissan focusing on the speedy part of the 370Z’s evolution. These days, you find hot hatches that can outrun a Fairlady Z, so the Japanese had to do something about this.
As for the future of the model, Nissan previously hinted at downsizing. The successor of the 370Z is expected to keep the same level of power, but come with reduced size and weight. As for the muscle itself, the 332 hp naturally-aspirated V6 should make room for a smaller, turbocharged unit.
Truth be told, we were never all that thrilled by the 370Z Roadster, so we’re looking forward to the sharpening of the Coupe.
While the first question to be raised here targeted sales. Well, domestic sales of the 370Z Roadster reached 798 units as of April 2014. The local media sees this as a normal figure, so perhaps Nissan wanted the open-top version of its sportscar to retire while still in glory.
The Nissan 370Z Roadster has been on sale in Japan since October 2009, but Nissan now explains it wants to focus on the performance of the Fairlady Z, since the vehicle is heading into the last leg of its life. Let’s not forget that the automotive producer recently introduced the 2015 version of the 370Z Nismo. Compared to the 2014 model, the vehicle brings a new 7-speed automatic, as well as aerodynamic and handling upgrades.
Given the effervescent evolution of the automotive market’s go-fast segment, it isn’t all that strange to see Nissan focusing on the speedy part of the 370Z’s evolution. These days, you find hot hatches that can outrun a Fairlady Z, so the Japanese had to do something about this.
As for the future of the model, Nissan previously hinted at downsizing. The successor of the 370Z is expected to keep the same level of power, but come with reduced size and weight. As for the muscle itself, the 332 hp naturally-aspirated V6 should make room for a smaller, turbocharged unit.
Truth be told, we were never all that thrilled by the 370Z Roadster, so we’re looking forward to the sharpening of the Coupe.