Micra returns: private buyers need only apply

The new Nissan Micra will arrive in Australia with a 1.4-litre engine, four-speed automatic transmission and five doors. That's right -- no multi-model line-up, no three-door 'loss leader' and no manual transmission.

Despite a worthy line-up from which to choose -- including a 1.6-litre sporty version, 'C+C' coupe convertible (with folding metal roof based on the hatch model) and budget-buy three-door manual versions offered in both the right-hand drive UK and Japan markets -- Nissan is adopting a one-model-only strategy Down Under for the light car.

After what seems like years of deliberating, the Japanese-sourced Micra will be launched in Australia late this year. As Nissan Australia is without a true light car (its Tiida straddles the light/small car segment currently) the fastest growing segment of the local marketplace has been off limits.

Now, the maker is limiting its new offering in an effort to target private buyers.

Nissan Australia says the auto-only five-door offering will hit the light car market where it wants to sell -- to private buyers. It thus deliberately avoids the domain of low-specification "rental cars".

"The three-door market for light cars is really only a rental car market," said Ross Booth, marketing manager for Nissan Australia during the Carsales Network's preview drive of the Micra in the UK last week.

"The majority of the [private] market is the five-door hatch, with automatic. To begin with we're going where the market is and that's the five-door," he said.

The decision means Nissan has abandoned the 'cheap and cheerful' approach that was anticipated for the Micra. Without a three-door, look to the Micra to compete with the likes of the Ford Fiesta LX, Mitsubishi Colt LS and Toyota Yaris YR which are priced in the $17-19K region. Sharp pricing will mean it will also target the sub-$17K five-door offerings from Hyundai and Kia.

Nissan Australia included an opportunity to drive the Micra with the international launch of the new X-TRAIL. Look for our first drive impressions next week. Full specification and pricing details for the Micra are not due to be announced until the car's release at the Australian International Motor Show in October.

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