Nissan cuts Pulsar and Micra hatches

Nissan has announced the local axing of Micra and all hatch variants of Pulsar. The cuts take effect later this year and will see Nissan out of two of the most important local passenger segments until new products are launched in the 2018-2019 model years.

The model range changes were announced in Melbourne this afternoon.

Nissan also confirmed the departure of the Y61 Patrol wagon and cab-chassis.

Although Nissan Australia will continue to sell the Pulsar sedan in the small car segment, the axing of Micra means a complete exit from the micro car market.

The decision was announced in the same week that Kia launched its new Picanto competitor in the same segment, and just weeks after Holden's widely lauded Spark debuted.

Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO Richard Emery told motoring.com.au that the decisions to exit Micra and Pulsar had been months in the making.

Emery said the Pulsar hatch had struggled for sales traction since its launch. Heavy discounting has been required to generate volume in what is one of the market's most hotly contested segments.

Under Emery's leadership Nissan has sought to move away from the volume focus of the past to become a more profitable brand. Buying volume in the hatch segment flies in the face of that strategy.

Micra meantime required significant additional investment in terms of technology, crash safety and emissions to match increasing consumer expectations in its segment.

The Nissan boss said the decision would clear the way for a fresh start with new models.

"There are a number of potential new products we're looking at," Emery stated, cautioning, however, that the brand could be out of the hatch segments for 18 months or more.

"These decisions are in line with our commitment to running a robust business in Australia, led by strong products including QASHQAI, X-TRAIL and Navara," Emery stated.

Nissan dealers are expected to have stock of the models for much of the rest of 2016.

"Complete after-sales service and technical support for the affected models will continue to be available from our Australian authorised dealer network," Emery said.

The Nissan boss said the decision to phase out the Y61 Patrol was "an emotional one".

"It's been a bit of an icon for Nissan. I'm sure there will be dealers and customers that will be sad about the Y61 going," he stated.