Nissan Micra 2010 – Global Compact Car

Nissan has today unveiled the first image of what they are calling the ‘Global Compact Car’. Which means the 2010 Nissan Micra.

Nissan are ending production of the Micra in Sunderland. We knew that, but what we didn’t know for certain is that the replacement for the Micra will be produced in Asia – principally in India. Which is a hard move to argue against with the sales of economical small cars flying through the roof in India and China. Add to that the huge cost savings in production and the ability to sell cars that haven’t had a 100% import duty slapped on them, and the case becomes compelling.

But Nissan’s plant in Sunderland won’t be throwing the Mackems out of work. Instead, they will be tasked with building the Qashqai Compact – the Nissan Qazana – which has been designed and developed in the UK.

The 2010 Micra is much more mainstream in style, so at least the convertible version – when it inevitably arrives – won’t look like a cross between Barbie and Noddy’s latest summer transport.

The 2010 Micra will be produced initially at Chennai in India (which is where Ford are building the Figo) – a rapidly rising hub for car production in Asia. It seems likely that further production of the Micra will also be centred in Asia, with China and Thailand already earmarked by Nissan.

The new Micra will arrive in the UK in late 2010.