As 2015 comes to a close, we reflect on a successful year for Nissan. Of course, we think of every new model like a new child welcomed into the family, so you can’t blame us for glowing after the arrivals of TITAN XD, Altima, Maxima and Sentra – not to mention the IDS Concept, Nissan’s vision for the future of EVs and autonomous driving. We also look back on some ground breaking marketing announcements, and our ever-growing list of accolades. Here’s to a happy, successful 2016 for all.
TITAN XD creates “New Class” of full-size pickup
The 2016 Nissan TITAN XD, which made its world debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is shaking up the highly competitive full-size pickup segment with a bold all-new design that stakes out a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries. The 2016 TITAN XD’s highlight reel – so far – includes:
- “TITAN Truckumentary” (more)
- Nissan TITAN XD named North American Truck/Utility of the Year finalist (more)
- Nissan joins Cummins® in land speed record attempt with special 2016 TITAN XD “Triple Nickel” (more)
- SEMA members create “Measured for Success” 2016 Nissan TITAN XD (more)
- All-new Nissan TITAN XD wins prestigious “2015 Truck of Texas” award (more)
New 2016 Nissan Altima adopts the latest design language for a fresh new look
Nissan chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn previewed the new 2016 Nissan Altima during a series of business media appearances in New York City in September.
“Altima has experienced five consecutive years of sales growth, the only vehicle in the mid-size sedan segment to do so, with sales growing more than 60 percent since the start of the economic recovery in 2009,” said Ghosn. “With this new, redesigned 2016 Altima, we expect to be more competitive in the marketplace.”
2016 Nissan Maxima “4-Door Sports Car” makes global debut
Nissan unveiled the all-new Nissan Maxima at the New York International Auto Show in April. Making the presentation was Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, who addressed a range of topics including Nissan’s $10.1 billion investment in the U.S. in the past three decades.
The dramatically styled 2016 Maxima, created by driving enthusiasts for driving enthusiasts, looks like nothing else on the road today – and drives like nothing in the segment. It not only resets Maxima’s iconic “4-Door Sports Car” positioning, it sets a new standard for style, performance and technology in the large sedan segment.
2016 Nissan Sentra debuts in LA
Following major revisions of the Nissan Maxima “4-Door Sports Car” and best-selling Nissan Altima for the 2016 model year, Nissan debuted a significantly revised 2016 Sentra at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
“For 2016, we’re giving our popular Sentra a complete makeover – that’s three-for-three for our top sedans,” said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Sales Marketing and Operations, U.S.A., Nissan North America, Inc., during remarks to the media. “Like Altima, we’re taking a powerful nameplate and making it even better.”
Nissan IDS Concept: Nissan’s vision for the future of EVs and autonomous driving
At the Tokyo Motor Show 2015, Nissan unveiled a concept vehicle that embodies Nissan’s vision of the future of autonomous driving and zero emission EVs: the Nissan IDS Concept. Presenting at the show, Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn said: “Nissan’s forthcoming technologies will revolutionize the relationship between car and driver, and future mobility.”
After leading the development and expansion of EV technology, Nissan once again stands at the forefront of automotive technology. By integrating advanced vehicle control and safety technologies with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), Nissan is among the leaders developing practical, real-world applications of autonomous drive technology. In August 2013, Ghosn said that by 2020 Nissan plans to equip innovative autonomous drive technology on multiple vehicles. Progress is well on track to achieve this goal.
Nissan celebrates fifth anniversary of all-electric LEAF
This year, Nissan celebrated five years at the forefront of the electric vehicle (EV) market with the record-breaking 100-percent electric vehicle Nissan LEAF. Having transformed the performance, practicality and public perception of EVs around the world since its launch in 2010, Nissan remains the undisputed leader in EV technology.
The Nissan LEAF is as advanced and innovative today as it was five years ago. No other manufacturer has produced as many electric vehicles or covered as much distance without producing any emissions. In fact, Nissan LEAF customers just surpassed the 1.2 billion-mile mark (two billion kilometers), which is equivalent to 2600 round trips from the Earth to the moon. This remarkable feat has helped keep 328,482 tons of CO from entering the air, according to a five-year sales-volume based assumption.
“Fewer, Bigger, Better”
This year, Nissan’s “Fewer, Bigger, Better” marketing strategy has included ongoing sponsorships of NBC’s “The Voice,” the Heisman House college football program and a major advertising presence in this year’s Super Bowl. Nissan is also now the official automotive partner of the Tennessee Titans. A few of our “Fewer, Bigger, Better” milestones include:
- Nissan announces historic athletics sponsorship with 100 universities and proud support of select NCAA championships (more)
- Tennessee Titans announce Nissan partnership; stadium rebranded as Nissan Stadium (more)
- Nissan’s popular “Heisman House” returns for 2015 college football season on ESPN (more)
- Nissan’s heartwarming “With Dad” Super Bowl commercial resonates with American families (more)
Nissan fastest rising automotive brand
Nissan was named one of the world’s most valuable brands for 2015, according to Interbrand, the world-leading brand consultancy. In the Best Global Brands Study, released by Interbrand, Nissan ranked 49, up from 56 in 2014 and 90 with a brand valuation of $3.819 billion from the company’s inaugural appearance on the list in 2011. Nissan is the fastest-rising automotive brand in this year’s study.
“Nissan’s rapid ascent in five short years from place 90 to now 49 shows we’re playing in the right spaces and engaging with consumers while always remaining authentic,” said Roel de Vries, Nissan corporate vice president and global head of Marketing and Brand Strategy. “Growing a global brand that’s exciting and innovative is an integral part of our company’s success.”
Accolades
Since January, Nissan products have been recognized for excellence from a wide array of media outlets. Just some of the awards include:
- All-new Nissan Maxima engine named to “Wards 10 Best Engines” list for 2016 (more)
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awards top safety designations to key Nissan models for 2016 (more)
- All-new Nissan TITAN XD wins prestigious “2015 Truck of Texas” award (more)
- Nissan named one of America’s 50 best employers by Forbes (more)
- All-new 2015 Nissan Murano earns MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award (more)
Review more from the “Nissan Accolades” newsroom here.
NISMO wins
This year, Nissan’s global motorsport program had victories in the Blancpain Endurance Series, Super GT and the many other championships in which it competes. Nissan’s GT Academy program has now attracted over five million entrants and is an established route into top-level motorsport; its talented alumni continue to deliver race wins and podiums for Nissan in a variety of championships across the globe. Below are highlights from NISMO this year.
- SUPER GT champions! (More)
- Nissan powers Greaves Motorsport to championship title (More)
- Champions! Nissan wins world’s biggest GT championship (More)
- Nissan teams finish best Pirelli World Challenge season ever despite challenges at Laguna Seca (More)
- Nissan GT-R LM NISMO to make racing return in 2016 (More)
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