Nissan unveils new Sentra, eyes No 2 slot

Nissan Motor Philippines Inc. is hoping to dislodge Toyota Motors Philippines from its number two ranking in terms of passenger car sales with the introduction of its all-new Sentra Exalta, NMPI executive vice president Jack Wu said yesterday.

Nissan currently holds the number three spot in terms of passenger car sales, while Honda Cars Philippines occupies the number one slot.

Wu said Nissan is planning to phase out its passenger van, the Vanette, and will introduce instead a new multi-purpose vehicle in the future.

While Wu refused to disclose details about Nissan’s new multi-purpose vehicles, he said that it would likely be a completely built-up (CBU) unit.

In the meantime, Nissan is concentrating on assembling at least 350 units of its new Sentra Exalta.

The new Exalta model, Wu said, is being positioned as an executive company car that is comparable to the Opel Vectra and the Audi, but with a more affordable price tag of only P875,000 for the 1.6 liter GS Grandeur with automatic transmission.

Innovative features of the new Sentra Exalta which are not normally found in other local sedans are mobile VCD entertainment system with popscreen, an AV steering wheel switch, a rear distance warning system, heads-up digispeed display, hands-free audiophone system, and a two-way power sunroof.

NMPI is 37 percent controlled by the Taiwanese automotive giant Yulon Motor Corp, which has invested at least P1.1 billion in the local car firm.

Earlier, Yulon said its plan for NMPI includes manufacturing automotive parts for export to other Southeast Asian countries.

Aside from Yulon, Nissan Motor Co. of Japan owns at least 13 percent of the firm. The rest is held by local investors.