"Nissan CEO Declares, 'Sports Cars Define Our Company's Essence.'"
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There’s a newfound enthusiast at the helm of Nissan, and sports car aficionados should either rejoice or take notes.
On Tuesday in Yokohama, Japan, Nissan President and CEO Ivan Espinosa shared with The Drive, “Sports cars are the essence of who we are as a company.” This statement came just moments after he was asked if the Silvia would be part of Nissan’s future, to which Espinosa responded, “…it would, if I could, soon, you know.”
Espinosa stated, “As we discussed earlier today, our current priority is to finalize the Re:Nissan plan. After that, we will reveal what’s next,” in reference to a line of body-on-frame vehicles, including the return of the Xterra SUV.
However, it’s not only the Silvia name that Espinosa could potentially resurrect if the automaker decides to expand its sports car lineup. “We’ve been engaged in sports cars for many generations, and there are various nameplates we could utilize. Of course, there’s a part of me that would love to do this quickly. But another part reminds me that we need to be careful at this moment and proceed step by step,” Espinosa explained.
Immediately after this careful and measured response, Espinosa smiled and added, “But we will definitely see more sports cars being added to the portfolio.”
Espinosa didn’t provide further details on what these sports cars might look like, but currently, Nissan showrooms feature only one: the Z. “Perhaps at some point, we could see additional nameplates added to the sports lineup,” Espinosa mentioned.
Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, spoke to The Drive on Tuesday in Yokohama, stating, “[Espinosa] is an avid fan of accessible sports cars,” and noted that “He is seeking the lightweight, affordable sports car that the Silvia represented back in the day. He’s mentioned this multiple times, even before he became CEO. So I believe if there’s someone in this company who can make the return of a sports car like the Silvia happen, it’s him.”
So, is there a possibility? Enthusiasts, feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments and online. Nissan is evidently paying attention.
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"Nissan CEO Declares, 'Sports Cars Define Our Company's Essence.'"
"Undoubtedly, we will see an increase in sports cars added to the lineup," said Nissan President and CEO Ivan Espinosa to The Drive.