Photo: Nissan
Normally, this would not have been news, but it matters when we are talking about a 25-year production cycle. Nissan’s 1991 Sentra was introduced on the Mexican market in 1992 under the name Tsuru. The car became the country’s most popular model between 1997 and 2011, when the Volkswagen Jetta finally surpassed it.
Nissan’s Sentra, or Tsuru, as you prefer, was popular in Mexico due to remarkably low prices, as well as ownership costs. The abundance of parts on the market and uncomplicated B13 chassis helped the sedan maintain its popularity over the years. Unfortunately for its fans, the platform does not support airbags or anti-lock brakes, two features that are not found on this model.
While not having airbags or ABS in 1991 was all right at the time, not having these vital safety systems 25 years later is a big concern. Mexico has recently begun an alignment to tougher safety standards, like those enforced in Europe and the United States of America.
Evidently, they cannot copy the system and shift things overnight, as it would destroy its auto market, but the country still has to oblige automakers to sell safer cars there.
Similar regulations have killed the Volkswagen Type 2 “Kombi” in Brazil, as well as the Dodge Viper in the USA, as the latter will stop being made after the 2017 model year completes its production.
While the Viper does have modern safety equipment, unlike the two other models mentioned in this article, it cannot be fitted the latest in additional active safety equipment, and its dwindling sales do not help engineers in creating a business case for investing in it.
Coming back to the Nissan Sentra, sold in the form visible in the photo gallery between 1991 and 1994, its Mexican brother will remain in production and for sale as a new car until 2017.
According to GM Inside News, local media is reporting that Nissan’s Tsuru was already in jeopardy, as its suppliers were not reaching an acceptable profit on its components, but the introduction of the Mexican Official Standard NOM 194 is the reason why the company will stop building it.
Fear not, as Nissan will still have other affordable products on the Mexican market, but probably none as cheap as this model. We might suggest Nissan re-use the Mk1 Dacia Logan platform, as it will definitely be safe than the 1991 Sentra, and still remain affordable even with modern safety equipment.
Nissan’s Sentra, or Tsuru, as you prefer, was popular in Mexico due to remarkably low prices, as well as ownership costs. The abundance of parts on the market and uncomplicated B13 chassis helped the sedan maintain its popularity over the years. Unfortunately for its fans, the platform does not support airbags or anti-lock brakes, two features that are not found on this model.
While not having airbags or ABS in 1991 was all right at the time, not having these vital safety systems 25 years later is a big concern. Mexico has recently begun an alignment to tougher safety standards, like those enforced in Europe and the United States of America.
Evidently, they cannot copy the system and shift things overnight, as it would destroy its auto market, but the country still has to oblige automakers to sell safer cars there.
Similar regulations have killed the Volkswagen Type 2 “Kombi” in Brazil, as well as the Dodge Viper in the USA, as the latter will stop being made after the 2017 model year completes its production.
While the Viper does have modern safety equipment, unlike the two other models mentioned in this article, it cannot be fitted the latest in additional active safety equipment, and its dwindling sales do not help engineers in creating a business case for investing in it.
Coming back to the Nissan Sentra, sold in the form visible in the photo gallery between 1991 and 1994, its Mexican brother will remain in production and for sale as a new car until 2017.
According to GM Inside News, local media is reporting that Nissan’s Tsuru was already in jeopardy, as its suppliers were not reaching an acceptable profit on its components, but the introduction of the Mexican Official Standard NOM 194 is the reason why the company will stop building it.
Fear not, as Nissan will still have other affordable products on the Mexican market, but probably none as cheap as this model. We might suggest Nissan re-use the Mk1 Dacia Logan platform, as it will definitely be safe than the 1991 Sentra, and still remain affordable even with modern safety equipment.
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