New-look Nissan Altima on its way
Set to make its global debut in New York, the new Altima could be resurrected in AustraliaThe global premiere of the sixth-generation Nissan Altima mid-size sedan will take place at the New York motor show on March 28, and it's a chance to return to Australia too.
Nissan has released some a teaser hyping the car's New York arrival to build the hype and it’s expected to show off a fresh new design that incorporates the brand's evolving design ethos and to offer a range of new connectivity and driver assistance technologies to take on arch-rivals such as the Toyota Camry.
These spy photos provide several clues as to how the 2019 Nissan Altima car will be styled, which is is the Japanese brand's most popular sedan in the USA.
However it failed to meet stricter Euro 5 emissions and struggled to attract buyers in Australia over its four-year tenure here.
It was subsequently axed in mid-2017.
Nevertheless, the talk and tone within Nissan Australia suggests the company is considering bringing the Altima back to Australia.
Stephen Lester, Nissan Australia's new managing director, has previously stated his company's desire to re-enter segments the company has side-stepped in recent times.
The Micra, Pulsar and Altima are no longer available here but it's understood that replacements for all those models are under consideration.
Karla Leach, Nissan Australia's general manager of corporate communications, told motoring.com.au that all options are on the table – including the Altima.
"Anything we think can fill holes in the segments we currently don't have representation in are under consideration," she said.
Australia’s medium car segment populated by the likes of the Mazda6, Toyota Camry, Ford Mondeo and Subaru Liberty has been in decline for the past several years. The last time the segment saw positive sales growth was in 2010.
Nissan fully redesigned the Altima back in 2012, the same time that Nissan Australia announced it would enter the V8 Supercars championship with an Altima.
Despite not being on sale in Australia the Altima is still being campaigned in the championship and the local importer has certainly not the closed the door on its commercial reintroduction.
Stay tuned for more details on the new Altima from the 2018 New York motor show in late March.
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