Nissan Micra, Pulsar hatch and Patrol variants axed

NISSAN has axed the Micra, Pulsar hatch and diesel-powered Patrol wagon and cab-chassis from its local range due to slow sales and tightening emissions standards.

It’s the Nissan Micra’s demise that’s most surprising, given Nissan launched a new version of the affordable city car in April last year and it’s since enjoyed strong sales through 2016.

Yet despite a 117 percent increase in sales and it being the second most popular model in its segment, Nissan says there is no business case to support the Micra.

Slow sales were the final nail in the coffin for the Pulsar Hatch, however, with Nissan ditching the variant to concentrate on the more popular sedan.

Year on year, overall Pulsar sales are down 32 percent.

Aging variants of the diesel-powered Y61 Patrol and UY61 Patrol cab-chassis have also bitten the dust and officially entered a “run out” phase.

Nissan says tightening emissions regulations and the arrival of the newer, V8 petrol-powered Y62 Patrol, which entered the Australian market in 2013, are the reasons for the Y61’s axing.

Every affected model will remain on sale in dealerships across the country until remaining stock is depleted.

“These decisions are in line with our commitment to running a robust business in Australia,” said Nissan Australia’s managing director Richard Emery.

“Complete after-sales service and technical support for the affected models will continue to be available from our Australian authorised dealer network.”

The decision to axe the three models will pull about 6000 sales from Nissan’s tally in 2017.