Newsletter

July 2010

Kia Onto A Style Winner

A focus on style is winning sales for Kia Motors in New Zealand.
Latest figures show new models like the Kia Cerato Koup and Kia Sorento R are flying out of Kia Motors dealerships as buyers fall for their designs, as much as for their technology, lavish equipment levels and value.

The arrival of the beautifully sculptured Cerato Koup has given Kia the lead in the sporty vehicle segment of the New Zealand market, outselling other 2-door rivals like the VW Eos, Audi A5 and Nissan 370Z. In fact, the Cerato Koup has revitalised the sports segment, helping to lift sales by almost double in the first five months of 2010.

“Cerato Koup has been an outstanding success for Kia in New Zealand and, at times, we have run out of stock completely,” says Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.
“The excellent response from customers has caused us to lift our target for Cerato Koup sales by 50% for 2010.”

Mr McDonald says the success of the Cerato Koup is vindication for the ambitious design-led strategy launched by Kia Motors to build its image. The master-stroke of that strategy was to lure top Audi-VW designer Peter Schreyer to head a completely revamped design division at Kia Motors from a new, state-of-the-art styling centre in Stuttgart, staffed by exceptionally talented creatives.

Schreyer was charged with the task of making Kia a truly global player by completely overhauling the design of its product line and took up the challenge with zeal.

The man who had overseen the design of the Audi TT compact sports car and the new VW Beetle introduced a common front shape with the “tiger- nose” grille for Kia models in 2007, to distinguish Kia vehicles from others on  the road.

The vehicles themselves have also been transformed, with Schreyer’s unmistakable “power of a straight line” being seen in latest models, such as the Cerato sedan and Koup and the Sorento R. It will also be seen on the next Sportage, which is due to be released in New Zealand in a few weeks.
“In the past, to buy a Kia was to make a very rational decision,” says Schreyer. “I want to create the situation where people see a Kia and want one firstly because of the way it looks, and then they discover that in addition to its great design and engineering it’s also attractively priced and has a great warranty.”

The plan is already working, with sales through the first five months of 2010 increasing by 38.9% year-on-year and helping the carmaker boost first-quarter profit fourfold to US316 million. And, most interestingly, a recent survey in the tough US market indicated that Kia vehicles retain their secondhand values better than Korean stablemate Hyundai, which shows that their appeal is enduring.

12 July, 2010.
 
2010 Nissan Qashqai+2
Nissan Qashqai – the hatchback has Evolved
 
On the crest of an all-new Qashqai design for 2010, Nissan New Zealand announces the arrival of a 7-seat family wagon version, dubbed Qashqai+2.  Based on the innovative Qashqai hatch concept, the Qashqai+2 makes its debut in New Zealand from mid July.

At a Glance
New to the unique Nissan Qashqai family in New Zealand arrives the Qashqai+2

The Qashqai+2 with more space and a flexible seven-seat configuration adds even more strongly to the appeal of the new Qashqai range.
 
Qashqai+2 combines the best of both three-row people movers and the family hatchback with none of the drawbacks.  So it enjoys the driving dynamics, ride comfort and refinement of a finely tuned hatchback with the added benefit of the practical interior of a bigger car.  But what it has that MPVs and hatchbacks don’t have is a striking, attractive exterior and interior design.  At the same time previous compact SUV customers will appreciate the third row of seats.
 
The SUV-influenced styling, ‘command’ seating position and genuine driving enjoyment are all carried over from the standard Qashqai, but the greater length is aimed squarely at busy families seeking practicality without sacrificing style.  Qashqai+2 joins the original five-seat Qashqai to cement the company’s status as ‘hatchback innovator’.
 
Qashqai+2 is available in New Zealand from mid July and will be available as an ST variant equipped with a CVT automatic transmission.  A little longer and higher than the 5-seater Qashqai,

Qashqai+2 is priced from $39,990.
Enquire today: sales@manawatunissan.co.nz

Power Upgrade for Nissan Navara

Nissan says the latest  rendition  of Nissan’s ST-X ute has  reclaimed its place  as the most powerful and  torquiest ute in the class.
 
The 2.5 litre  turbo diesel motor which powers the  4WD model now  comes with 140kW,  an increase of 12kW, while  torque rises from  403Nm  to 450Nm.  At the  same time  there are  improvements in fuel  economy and lower emission levels.

“With class-leading diesel  power  and  torque, improved  fuel economy, lower emissions, more safety equipment, better  quality and  a refreshed visual appeal, the new Navara is
well-positioned to attract  even  more customers to its ranks,” says John  Manley, managing director  of Nissan New Zealand.
 
The changes to the 2.5 litre turbodiesel engine in the 4WD include a new direct injection system, which operates at 2000  bar, up from 1800  bar. This increase in pressure means the fuel spray  is atomised to a finer degree, resulting  in more complete combustion.
 
A new cylinder head with parallel ports  increases the swirl efficiency of the combustion process, smoothing the intake  and  exhaust flow, while a new variable  nozzle  turbo (VNT) with electric control replacing the previous vacuum system, and  generating quicker responses, has  also
been adopted.
 
These improvements not only raise  power,  but also lower fuel consumption and  emissions. The latter are  also reduced thanks to the fitment of a by-pass valve in the Exhaust Gas  Recycling  cooling system. The by-pass valve allows the EGR system to  warm up more quickly from a
cold start,  cutting emissions of hydrocarbons and  soot  still further.
 
The 2WD diesel  models have  also benefitted with power  rising from 106kW to 120kW and  the torque  increasing from 356Nm to 403Nm.
 
The Navara ST-X is available with a six speed manual gearbox or a five speed automatic, which also has  a manual mode.
 
Over the combined fuel cycle test  6-speed manual versions attain  8.5L/100km, a substantial
1.3-litres less  fuel per 100km  (or 13 percent less)  than  before. The 5-speed automatic ST-X Dual Cab saves even  more fuel at 9.0L/100km  versus 10.5L/100km of the previous model  – a
15 percent saving.
 
The 198kW V6 4.0-litre petrol engine currently  offered in the ST-X continues unchanged.

Nissan says that detailed changes inside the cabin  of the Navara ST-X have enhanced its quality and  appearance. These include new switchgear, revised door trims, new seat fabric, and the addition of chrome highlights and  revised instrument dials.
 
 
Practical touches mean the door pockets can  now easily hold a typical large-scale map book and  a one-litre drink bottle.
 
Switchgear changes include a new, easier to use, all-wheel  drive command control switch while the steering wheel controls  for the phone and  audio are