June 5, Beijing - On the eve of Auto China 2002, Nissan unveiled three new cars as part of the company's commitment to expand its presence in the Chinese market.
"At the heart of our revival and our ambitions for China is a passion for making exceptional automobiles," Carlos Ghosn, Nissan's President and Chief Executive Officer said. "Our cars must deliver excitement, inspire passion and reward that passion with driving pleasure."
The three new models being introduced at the motor show include two sports utility vehicles - X-TRAIL and Paladin - and a new addition to the popular Bluebird series, the Bluebird Flagship Model. The Paladin will be produced in China by the Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile, a joint venture, and the Bluebird by Aeolus Automobile ("Fengshen"), a Dongfeng group company.
Nissan also unveiled the latest versions of three popular models already available in China: Cefiro, Sunny and Bluebird Light Interior Version. But stealing the spotlight at the Auto China 2002 preview also will be an innovative concept car called ideo, the new Nissan 350Z sports car and the Nissan's Cima luxury flagship.
ideo is Nissan's vision of a vehicle that creates a fusion between the car and information technology. The car features a range of cameras and telematics systems that connect the occupants with the outside world, delivering information on anything from traffic conditions to what's on at the nearest theater. Nissan expects this vision to become a reality over the next 10 years.
The new Z goes on sale this summer in global markets as the successor to a long line of Z cars that have acquired loyal fans all over the world. "The 350Z is the living embodiment of fulfilling our ambition to build drivers' cars that inspire passion," Ghosn said. "It is a powerful symbol of the new Nissan brand."
The Cima luxury sedan on display at the show features state-of-the-art technology, including a radar-based brake assist system that supports drivers in emergency situations and the world's first lane-keeping assistance system that supports them stay in the center of the lane.
"Nissan cars have been available in China since 1972," Ghosn said. "But the market has now reached the point where more and more people earn salaries equivalent to the price of a new passenger car. People are starting to realize the freedom and flexibility and excitement of personal transportation. "
"As has happened in other markets, this is exactly the point in time when domestic car sales begin to take off. Nissan is committed to play a role that benefits China and our current and future customers here in that process. Nissan is back as a healthy, growing and confident automaker, and we're proud to be back in China."
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Note to editors: Nissan launches today a brand new Beijing show microsite. To preview Nissan's models on display at Auto China 2002, click http://www.nissan.com.cn.