Two new Nissan models from ETCM, soon
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the assembler and distributor of Nissan vehicles, has certainly been stepping up on their product line of late. In six months, two new models were released into the Malaysian market - the Latio and the Grand Livina. This has created a storm in the Malaysian market for non-national cars that elevated the company into the limelight once again.
Will it be the Sylphy this time?
In a recent announcement, ETCM will be launching additional two new models in the market for the second-half of 2008. The first would be a mid-sizes sedan that would be priced between RM110,000 to RM120,000, and perhaps an effort to re-enter the 2.0L segment, after the famous Cefiro made its entry back in the 90s. However, the MD of ETCM, Datuk Dr. Ang Bon Beng did not reveal that it would be the Sylphy, as revealed during a recent official visit by the CEO of Nissan Motors Ltd, Carlos Ghosn at the Serendah assembly plant.
If it is true that the Sylphy is the new model to be released, it should be powered by a 2.0L engine as the Latios have already taken the 1.6L and 1.8L capacities, ditto for the Grand Livina. The Singapore version of the Sylphy, however, has two variants - 1.5L and 2.0L. I wonder how the 1.5L fare for such a big body of the Sylphy? At one glance, the Sylphy sports huge resemblance of the Intima Concept when I saw it on the flesh at the Bangkok Motorshow held in March.
Or the Navara pick-up?
The other new model would be a pick-up truck - my favourite segment of all. The current Frontier pick-up was offered with new colour combos but not facelifts. I guess bringing in a completely new model would be cost-effective than facelifting? My take would either be a major facelift or a new model, like the Frontier Navara, perhaps? Our northern neighbour, Thailand had launched the Navara early this year, and has gone through facelifts and enhancements already by now.
Looking at the future scenario of fuel subsidies being scrapped by the government, the car industry will still continue to make its profit, as Dr. Ang Bon Beng said, people would still buy cars.
RapidKL, the government-backed public transportation provider will no longer be subsidised, which also means, commuters will need to pay higher fares soon, too. A boon for car-makers in hope for more car sales??
How does ETCM, and the other car manufacturers, gonna face up these challenges, this I have to sit and watch.
