Photo: Nissan
Just when we thought the automotive industry had all the crossovers it needed - and then some - Nissan announced it was launching a new one. It'll be called Kicks and will be based on the concept car of the same name.
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has said the new model will be sold globally, starting with Latin America, where it will debut later this year. The Japanese company is investing $192 million in its Resende, Brazil, plant to manufacture the Kicks. In addition, 600 new jobs will be created at the facility, which was inaugurated in 2014 and currently produces the March and Versa models.
"With Nissan Kicks, we will go beyond the obvious to pack a punch with a strong design statement and the performance that our customers crave," said Jose Valls, chairman of Nissan Latin America.
Although very athletic and giving off a 2nd-generation-Juke vibe, we wouldn't necessarily call the Kicks "a strong design statement." Especially when we consider how many times production models are toned down when compared to their concept versions. And even more so when we consider that, since the Juke, Nissan hasn't been so bold in design.
But we digress. Back to the Kicks, which was unveiled, in concept form, at the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show. It derived from yet another concept: the Extrem, originally shown in Sao Paulo in 2012. Although the mass production model will be sold all over the world, the Kicks concept was created with the Brazilian market in mind.
"When our team from Nissan Brazil team collaborated with our colleagues in Japan to create the Kicks concept vehicle, which was inspired by our country and culture, the result was extraordinary," said Francois Dossa, president of Nissan Brazil.
It was actually a three-way effort, with Nissan Design America, based in San Diego, also pitching in. All three design teams are also involved in developing the production model.
"With Nissan Kicks, we will go beyond the obvious to pack a punch with a strong design statement and the performance that our customers crave," said Jose Valls, chairman of Nissan Latin America.
Although very athletic and giving off a 2nd-generation-Juke vibe, we wouldn't necessarily call the Kicks "a strong design statement." Especially when we consider how many times production models are toned down when compared to their concept versions. And even more so when we consider that, since the Juke, Nissan hasn't been so bold in design.
But we digress. Back to the Kicks, which was unveiled, in concept form, at the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show. It derived from yet another concept: the Extrem, originally shown in Sao Paulo in 2012. Although the mass production model will be sold all over the world, the Kicks concept was created with the Brazilian market in mind.
"When our team from Nissan Brazil team collaborated with our colleagues in Japan to create the Kicks concept vehicle, which was inspired by our country and culture, the result was extraordinary," said Francois Dossa, president of Nissan Brazil.
It was actually a three-way effort, with Nissan Design America, based in San Diego, also pitching in. All three design teams are also involved in developing the production model.
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