Datsun Crossover to Debut at Tokyo IMS 2015
News has emerged that Datsun will debut a new Crossover at the Tokyo International Motorshow in 2015. As can be seen from the single teaser image, Datsun is keeping their cards close to their chests – not releasing full images or details of their new compact Crossover vehicle – but rather waiting to ‘reveal all’ at their important home market motorshow.
Following on from the Datsun GO, which has been a sales success in South Africa, with Datsun South Africa managing to sell more than 5 500 in just under 11 months – no mean feat – the new Datsun Crossover will hope to capture a sizeable portion of the rapidly expanding compact Crossover market, dominated by the likes of the Ford EcoSport.
Short on details, big on rumours – the motor industry is speculating that the new Crossover could be built around the Renault Kwid – think cut-price, small Renault Duster – and is sold in other markets under the Dacia brand name. The Kwid is co-developed with Nissan, Renault’s alliance partner, and considering this, everything falls together neatly for Nissan to introduce Kwid-based Datsun compact Crossver. After all, Datsun is to Nissan what Dacia is to Renault.
Expect running gear and engines then to closely resemble those of the Kwid and interior switchgear to be lifted from the Renault-Nissan part bins. Either way though with the popularity of compact Crossovers only set to skyrocket, a cut-price model from Datsun will be a welcome addition to the market.
The Tokyo International Motorshow public days run from 30 October – 8 November 2015.