Nissan trademarks Skyline name in Oz
But says it has no plans to release the rear-drive sports sedan here, after axing Infiniti, GT-R and AltimaNissan has re-trademarked its iconic ‘Skyline’ nameplate Down Under, but Japanese brand’s local division has confirmed the exercise was nothing more than a security measure.
Filed on January 25 under Class 12 (automobiles and parts), the trademark application had raised our hopes that the legendary JDM sports sedan could be on its way back to Australia.
With the Altima axed Down Under in 2017, the Infiniti brand departing in 2019 and the iconic GT-R also now discontinued, the Skyline could have complemented the new Z at the top of Nissan Australia’s passenger car range.
But a quick refresher on the demise of the local medium and large sedan segments, as the unwavering popularity of SUVs and utes continues to surge, shows why Nissan will not bring the JDM Skyline Down Under and was simply protecting its trademark here.
Sales of sub-$60,000 medium passenger vehicles were down another 10.4 per cent last year while the sub-$70,000 large car segment fell a further 34.5 per cent year-on-year.
Aside from the high-profile departure of the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, other recent medium/large models to disappear from showrooms include the Subaru Liberty, Hyundai i40, Suzuki Kizashi, Citroen C5, the aforementioned Altima and, perhaps soon, the Mazda6.
Interestingly, however, medium car sales were actually back up 19.4 per cent last month compared to January 2021, meaning here is still at least some love for the traditional passenger car, especially warmer ones.
It’s no great surprise the Toyota Camry ruled the roost with a 61.9 per cent segment share, but the third-best-selling model was the Hyundai Sonata; a model now offered here only in potent N-Line specification.
Given the Sonata was only pipped by the expansive Mazda6 range by half a dozen units, it proves there is still an appetite out there for fast sedans.
Crucially however, none of the currently offered mid-sizers and only one of the two larger mainstream alternatives are rear-wheel drive (Kia Stinger), leaving a hole in the market seemingly begging to be exploited, and Nissan has a car in is global portfolio to capitalise on that.
In simple terms, the current JDM Nissan Skyline is a detinselled Infiniti Q50 – a medium sedan underpinned by the same ‘FM’ platform as the 350Z, 370Z and even the upcoming Nissan Z, with which the more potent versions share their twin-turbo V6 powertrain.
While the Skyline would likely only contribute modest numbers to Nissan’s sales tally, it would provide Aussies with a niche but appealing rear-drive option within the affordable medium car segment.
With the new Z almost here, a reborn Skyline would also be a nostalgic throwback to the heyday of JDM performance – quite apart from the obvious heritage and reputation attached to its name.
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