Nissan
This 1980s Isuzu Impulse Sportscar Was an Innovative, Pioneering Vehicle that Blazed a Trail for the Future of Performance Cars.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Japanese sports cars were all the rage, and Isuzu attempted to make a name for themselves with the Impulse, a sports coupe that featured performance technology ahead of its time. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Impulse was an answer to the success of brands like Toyota and Nissan. The first generation Impulse was launched in 1983 and was initially a success, with 13,000 units sold.
However, the second generation Impulse, which debuted in the late 1980s, was not as well received. Isuzu’s partnership with General Motors led to a front-wheel-drive hatchback/wagon version, which sacrificed the rear-wheel-drive charm of the original. The model was also plagued by poor brand recognition, lackluster marketing, and a weak dealership network in the United States.
The Impulse faced strong competition from other Japanese sports cars, including the Mazda RX-7, Honda Prelude, and Toyota Celica. Furthermore, the 1990s saw a burst of the economic bubble in Japan, which forced Isuzu to cease production of cars, including the Impulse.
The second generation Impulse sold only around 13,000 units over three years, and ultimately represented the end of Isuzu’s automotive production. Despite its innovative technology and sleek design, the Impulse failed to gain popularity, marking a disappointing chapter in Isuzu’s history.
Here’s a rewritten version of the headline:Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida to Leave Post Following Aborted Merger Talks with Honda
Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, is stepping down on April 1st amid the chaos surrounding the collapse of merger talks with Honda. The news comes as a surprise, given the company’s recent struggles and the tumultuous relationship between the two Japanese automakers.
The partnership between Nissan and Honda was meant to create a global alliance, but it ultimately fell through due to differences in strategy and goals. The failed merger has left a power vacuum at Nissan, prompting the board to appoint a new CEO to take over from Uchida.
According to various reports, Nissan has chosen Ashwani Gupta, currently the company’s chief planning officer, to succeed Uchida as CEO. Gupta has been with Nissan for over 20 years and has held various senior positions, including chief restructuring officer and regional leader for Africa, the Middle East, and India.
Uchida’s departure comes after a string of poor financial results, including a 92% fall in quarterly profits and a decline in vehicle sales. He took over as CEO in 2018, but his leadership has been marked by inconsistent results and a tumultuous boardroom drama. The departure is seen as a testament to the company’s struggles to recover from its 2018 financial crisis and its reliance on the failed merger with Honda.
The transition to Gupta will likely bring about significant changes to Nissan’s leadership, strategy, and operations. Under his guidance, the company may shift its focus towards electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and other emerging technologies.
In the short term, investors are bracing for another round of layoffs and restructuring efforts to address Nissan’s financial woes. In the long term, the new CEO will need to navigate the complex landscape of the automotive industry, which is shifting rapidly towards electric and autonomous vehicles, new mobility services, and increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
In summary, Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, is stepping down on April 1st following the collapse of merger talks with Honda. Ashwani Gupta, the company’s chief planning officer, has been appointed as the new CEO, tasked with leading the company’s turnaround and drive its future growth. The transition is likely to bring significant changes to the company’s strategy, operations, and leadership, with a focus on electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and emerging technologies.
The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, BYD Song Plus, and Denza D9 are set to arrive in February 2025.
According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), a total of 1.397 million passenger vehicles were sold in China in February 2025, a 26% increase compared to the same period last year, but a 22% drop compared to the previous month. Here is a summary of the top-selling models in each segment during the period from February 3rd to March 2nd:
Sedans and Hatchbacks:
- Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (31,222 units sold)
- BYD Seagull (28,223 units sold)
- Geely Geome Xingyuan (24,831 units sold)
- BYD Qin Plus (23,310 units sold)
- Tesla Model 3 (20,870 units sold)
- Volkswagen Lavida (17,635 units sold)
- BYD Qin L (16,937 units sold)
- Nissan Sylphy (15,555 units sold)
- Volkswagen Sagitar (14,134 units sold)
- Volkswagen Passat (13,959 Units sold)
SUVs:
- BYD Song Plus (18,911 units sold)
- BYD Song Pro (15,826 units sold)
- Toyota Frontlander (12,862 units sold)
- Geely Xingyue L (12,775 units sold)
- Changan CS75 Plus (12,646 units sold)
- Toyota RAV4 (12,504 units sold)
- Tesla Model Y (12,265 units sold)
- Toyota Corolla Cross (11,373 units sold)
- BYD Yuan Plus (11,083 units sold)
- BYD Yuan UP (10,799 units sold)
MPVs:
- Denza D9 (96,625 units sold)
- Toyota Sienna (4,851 units sold)
- Voyah Dreamer (3,539 units sold)
- Buick GL8 (3,129 units sold)
- BYD Xia (3,082 units sold)
- Toyota Granvia (2,339 units sold)
- GAC Trumpchi M (7,791 units sold)
- GAC Trumpchi M (6,279 units sold)
- Arcfox Kaola (1,190 units sold)
- Wuling Jiachen (965 units sold)
Overall, the data suggests that new energy vehicles are dominating the Chinese market, with many models in the top 10 rankings. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, BYD Seagull, and Geely Geome Xingyuan were the top-selling sedan and hatchback models, while the BYD Song Plus and Song Pro took the top two spots in the SUV segment. The Denza D9 was the best-selling MPV.
In a surprising twist, Nissan and Honda are considering reuniting – but only if the terms of a potential partnership meet their strict criteria.
Nissan Motors is considering rekindling its partnership with Honda, but only if it can secure a significant equity stake in the Japanese automaker. According to sources, Nissan is reassessing its options and is open to a potential investment from Honda, which could be a crucial lifeline for the struggling automaker.
In recent times, Nissan has faced significant challenges, including a leadership crisis, declining global sales, and a growing debt burden. The company is in need of a savior to rescue it from its current predicament, and Honda could be that partner.
The potential partnership could be a win-win for both companies. For Honda, it would provide an opportunity to expand its presence in the global market, particularly in regions where Nissan has a strong presence. Moreover, it would allow Honda to tap into Nissan’s expertise in certain segments, such as electric vehicles.
For Nissan, the investment would provide a much-needed boost to its finances, enabling it to restructure its operations and focus on long-term growth. The partnership could also bring fresh leadership and expertise to the table, helping to turn the company around.
The concept of a new CEO and a call for more aggressive change at Nissan is gaining momentum, with some analysts predicting a significant shake-up at the company. The recent announcement of a streamlining of executive leadership, scheduled for March 12, suggests that the company is indeed preparing for significant change.
In the context of the potential partnership with Honda, this could be a crucial step towards revamping the company’s leadership and preparing it for a new era of growth. The future of Nissan is uncertain, but a partnership with Honda could be the key to unlocking its potential. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this development pans out and what implications it may have for the future of both companies.
Nissan Motor India saw a significant surge in sales, with a 44.76% increase to 8,567 units in February, a promising start to the year.
Nissan Motor India has reported a significant 44.76% year-over-year increase in total sales in February 2025, with 8,567 units sold. This growth is mainly attributed to a 97% increase in exports to 6,239 units, compared to 3,163 units in February 2024. Domestic sales, on the other hand, declined by 15.15% to 2,328 units. The compact SUV Magnite has played a key role in this growth, with all its powertrain options now E20-compatible. The Magnite BR10 naturally aspirated engine has also recently become fully-compliant.
Notably, the Magnite has achieved 50,000 units of export sales since its launch, demonstrating growing trust in the brand and its ability to deliver quality, innovation, and performance. The company’s strategy is focused on providing future-ready mobility solutions, aligning with evolving environmental standards. In January 2025, Nissan started exporting the left-hand drive variant of the new Magnite to LATAM markets, and in February 2025, it shipped units to the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Pacific regions, and select Latin American markets.
Nissan Motor India’s Managing Director, Saurabh Vatsa, credited the company’s dedication to innovation and environmental sustainability for its success. He emphasized the company’s commitment to “delivering quality, innovation, and performance” and its “emphasis on future-ready mobility solutions.” With this impressive performance, Nissan Motor India is poised to continue its growth trajectory in the market.
Isuzu’s executive Traviz van prototype takes center stage in public debut.
Isuzu Philippines has unveiled a new concept vehicle, the Cargo Van, which is a prototype that could potentially become a new addition to the Isuzu Traviz lineup. The Cargo Van is a van conversion of the utility vehicle, with four rows of seats and a potential for eight passengers. The first two rows have three-abreast seating, while the last two rows have flip-down seats that can accommodate two or three occupants. The rear seats are bolted in place, with a fair amount of under-seat space available for additional storage.
Styling-wise, the Cargo Van combines elements of the Traviz, other vans, and the previous generation D-Max. The front end is unmistakably Traviz, while the side profile resembles high-roof versions of the Hiace Super Grandia and Nissan NV350. The rear lights are similar to those of the old D-Max.
Under the hood, the Cargo Van is likely powered by the same 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine found in the rest of the Traviz range, producing 77hp and 177Nm of torque. Given that there is no automatic Traviz, it’s likely that the Cargo Van is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission.
While the Cargo Van is currently a concept vehicle, Isuzu Philippines may reconsider production if there is sufficient demand. The question remains whether this modern-day Versa Van could be a hit if priced competitively.
The next-generation Navara is a rebranded version of the Mitsubishi L200, also known as the Triton.
According to Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director of Nissan Oceania, the next generation of the Nissan Navara truck will not be an original design. Instead, it will be built on the same chassis and technology as the Mitsubishi L200/Triton. However, Humberstone emphasized that the new Navara will undergo a significant redesign to meet customer expectations.
The new Navara is expected to debut in late 2026, with the company already working on the project. By leveraging the same platform as the Mitsubishi L200/Triton, Nissan is likely to benefit from cost savings and shared development costs. This partnership between the two companies is a strategic move, as it allows them to compete more effectively in the global pickup truck market.
The Navara is an important model for Nissan, being one of its best-selling vehicles in many markets, including Australia and New Zealand. The current generation of the Navara has been in production since 2015 and has received several updates, but the new model is expected to bring significant improvements in terms of design, technology, and performance.
The partnership with Mitsubishi is not a surprise, given that the two companies have been discussing a possible collaboration in the past. In 2019, Nissan acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi, strengthening their ties and laying the groundwork for future cooperation.
The new Navara is expected to feature a more modern design, improved interior, and enhanced towing capacity, among other updates. With its reliable and proven platform, the next-generation Navara is likely to be a strong contender in the competitive pickup truck market. For now, fans of the Navara will have to wait until 2026 to get their hands on the new model, but it will be worth the wait.