NMPI, UMC become NPI: Nissan announces new PH company, unveils 2 new models

MANILA, Philippines - Japan’s second-biggest automaker Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. formally takes the reins in managing the brand in the Philippines by officially announcing Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) as its national sales company.

With this new structure, the company retains Nissan Motor Philippines, Inc. (NMPI) and Universal Motors Corporation (UMC) as local partners, with both continuing to assemble Nissan vehicles for the Filipino market. Each of the two will have 24.5 percent shares with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. having the majority 51 percent. 

NPI is aiming its crosshairs on a bigger local market share. To achieve this NPI will prioritize strengthening the branding, marketing, and sales strategies as well as dealer operations. NPI also intends to reinforce brand and sales power by broadening the product lineup and intensifying sales and services across the country.

NPI is headed by its president and Managing Director, Kenji Naito who has 29 years’ experience with Nissan and has held key positions in various markets including Japan, South Africa, New Zealand, and Thailand.  Prior to his post in the Philippines, Naito served as CEO of Nissan Korea Co., Ltd.   

As its two-pronged attack o the market, NPI unveiled two new models, the Nissan Sylphy and Nissan Altima, during its grand launch last Friday at Blue Leaf Filipinas in Pasay City. The introduction of the all-new Sylphy and Altima heralds the entry of more Nissan products to debut in the Philippines. 

The importance of the launch was underscored by the presence of no less than Nissan Motor Company Ltd.’s Vice Chairman, Toshiyuki Shiga, and Executive Vice President, Takao Katagiri.

Return of the Altima

Marking a comeback after more than 20 years, the Altima midsize luxury sedan makes a triumphant homecoming as NPI’s new flagship. Built at a Nissan plant in America, the new Altima aims to elevate customers’ expectations from a midsize 4-door premium sedan in terms of styling, comfort, performance, fuel efficiency, innovative features, and safety.

Nissan focused on styling the Altima’s body to be more aerodynamic and premium-looking. The Altima that features a wide, aggressive presence on the road as well as a long, sloping rear roofline that is completed with a high trunk lid for a commanding profile.

Depending on the variant, Altima customers are welcomed inside by a charcoal or beige interior and plush seating, finished in either comfortable fabric or supple leather all around. The split-folding rear seats offer plenty of legroom.

The front seats have been designed literally with space technology in mind as Nissan sought the expertise of NASA to create seats that offer the best comfort by offering a neutral posture; the same posture that astronauts assume in a zero-gravity environment.

The entry-level Altima SV is powered by a QR25DE engine—a highly sophisticated all-aluminum 2.5-liter, twin-cam 16-valve 4-cylinder engine. Along with variable valve timing, the new Altima 2.5L SV develops 180ps at 6000 rpm and 243Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.

The top-of-the-line Altima 3.5L SL finds a VQ35DE under the hood—a powerful all-aluminum 3.5 liter V6 with twin cams and 24 valves. Along with variable timing, the new Altima 3.5L SL pumps out 270ps at 6400 rpm and 340Nm at 4400 rpm. Matched with both engines is the next-generation Nissan Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

Among the Altima’s power features such as a power driver’s seat, all variants come standard with an adjustable fine vision gauges, a trip computer with 3D display, six SRS airbags, ISO-FIX child seat anchors, speed-sensing door locks, ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), speed-sensitive Hydraulic Electric Power Steering (HEPS), an intelligent key, push-button start system with alarm and immobilizer. 

The Altima comes with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Active Understeer Control, which helps give the driver more control by minimizing understeer in dynamic driving and emergency maneuvers.

The range-topping Altima 3.5L SL CVT comes equipped with leather seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, premium interior finishes,  an automatic dual-zone climate control system, and a premium Bose audio system.

The new Nissan Altima comes in Brilliant Silver, Black Obsidian, Pearl White and Storm Blue and has retail prices of P1,650,000 for the Altima 2.5L SV CVT and P2,030,000 for the Altima 3.5L SL CVT.

Sylphy takes over Sentra

Unveiled side-by side with the new Altima was the new Sylphy, Nissan’s new compact global sedan sold in more than 120 markets worldwide including the US, Japan, China, and Thailand. The Sylphy is one of Nissan’s global core models.

The new Nissan Sylphy is powered by 1.8-liter MRA8DE and 1.6-liter HR160E variable valve timing-equipped engines matched with a Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. The Sylphy 1.6L also comes with a manual transmission.

The Sylphy features a beautiful exterior expressing a dynamic and premium feel. A three-dimensional chrome front grille and xenon headlights with six LED accent lights grace the front end while an elegant flowing character line runs from the curved front fender towards the horseshoe-shaped rear combination lamps featuring fifteen LED lights. Chrome door handles and stylish 17- and 16-inch alloy wheels further accentuate the premium exterior design for the 1.8L and 1.6 variants, respectively.

Inside, the dashboard gives a feeling of spaciousness while the soft pad trim provides a premium interior feel. A ‘micro-grain’ finish used in the lower dash and the upper front door trim reduces glare while providing a smooth feel for a relaxed atmosphere. For improved comfort, it features an automatic dual-zone climate control system with rear aircon vents on CVT variants.

The new Sylphy features high-strength body construction (Zone Body) which makes use of high-tensile steel to achieve strength and efficiency. The front body panels also feature improved energy absorption efficiency for better pedestrian protection.

The Nissan Sylphy boasts ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) to enhance car control and lessen braking distance. The 1.8 CVT variant also comes with auto-on/off headlamps and features a keyless entry system with remote trunk opener and immobilizer. The top-spec variant also comes with an Intelligent Key that allows full keyless operation with push-button start.

The Nissan Sylphy comes in Aspen White, Ebony, Deep Iris Gray, Brilliant Silver, and Grayish Bronze. MSRP is at P812,000 for the Base 1.6L MT; P915,000 for the 1.6L CVT; and P998,000 for the top-of-the-line 1.8L CVT.