Nissan thinking outside the Cube

Nissan Australia says it is watching Kia's Soul to determine a place, or not, for its cool Cube model in Australia.

Nissan's quirky, spacious Cube is popular among Japan's 'square-car market' and has just been released in the USA to take on the likes of Toyota youth brand Scion's xB. Interestingly, Scion's marketing campaign for its new box car uses the phrase: 'Universally misunderstood...'

So, would Australians misunderstand these sub-model 'urban utility vehicles' too?

"We looked at it [introducing the Cube locally] a while ago," Nissan Australia's Manager of Corporate Communications Jeffrey Fisher told the Carsales Network.

"But we're not able to make a business case for it," said Fisher. "At the moment the numbers don't quite stack up for us.

"It's also a very new concept in the US," he said. "I think we'll all be keen to see how it goes because it's also a bit of an experiment with the Americans at the moment.

"These things [niche vehicles] are usually either enormous hits or people gamble with them and they go out of fashion very quickly," Fisher explained.

"Given the size of our market, which isn't very big, and given the price positioning at the moment for us it's not a feasible option. Large markets like the US, Japan and Europe have a lot more flexibility to test it [new products].

"So it's not on the agenda at the moment... but never say never."

Currently the Nissan is selling 2000 Cube models per month in the USA, which means the new entry is "more or less" meeting forecasts after around six months since its launch.

The Carsales Network drove the new Cube in Portugal last year (more here) and found the car quirky but overall well suited to the local market. The Cube offers loads of space and a good dose of cool that's normally reserved for hot and warm hatches.

Nissan's Cube has room for five with bench-style seats and features a side-swing rear door for easy access to the generous cargo room. Like the Scion xB and Kia's Soul, the Cube is aimed at the youth market and therefore comes with the latest tech conveniences like push-button start, and Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

Nissan says the Cube's "bold but friendly" front end design was inspired by a bulldog wearing sunglasses. Its short bonnet and snub-nose grille certainly resembles the stocky mutt, and the wide windscreen has a wraparound look. Good outward vision for drivers and passengers is one of the Cube's design highlights, according to the maker.

Four spec-levels are offered in the USA but all Cube models come with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine and a choice of six-speed manual or CVT. US-market Cubes start from $13,990 (AU$17,400) and can be ordered with 16-inch alloy wheels and aero kit, or as a limited edition Krom model featuring interior accent lighting and Rockford Fosgate sound system.

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