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Bruce Newton16 Oct 2014
NEWS

Nismo looms in 2015

But Euro Pulsar hot hatch won't be part of launch range and may never come here
The Nissan performance sub-brand Nismo seems certain to launch in Australia in 2015.
But don't expect the recently revealed Euro Pulsar Nismo hatchback (pictured) to make it into production and into Australia in time to be part of the launch range.
And Nissan Australia boss Richard Emery says the Euro Pulsar Nismo can't be part of the launch lineup because the car it is based on isn't yet confirmed to make it here. 
In fact, Emery says the Euro Pulsar may never be sold in Australia, which means local management may eventually be faced with the decision of bringing in the Nismo version as a stand alone model.
"Euro Pulsar is not a walk up start by any means," Emery told motoring.com.au.
The Euro Pulsar Nismo debuted at the Paris motor show earlier this month, in what looked to be almost production-ready form.
The ballistic GT-R Nismo, impressive 370Z Nismo and the Juke Nismo are expected to comprise the Australian Nismo launch range.
Emery acknowledged there had been a lot of talk about bringing Nismo to Australia in the last 12 months with little evidence of action.
But since motoring.com.au last covered the subject in July he confirmed a lot of work had been done behind the scenes.
"I know Nismo has been talked about for a long time now and we are never quite there," Emery said. "But we have made some significant progress even in the last three or four months in terms of the timing.
"So I am pretty comfortable we will be able to present that sub-brand in the Australian marketplace pretty soon."
Like 2015? 
"I would like to think that will be the case."
The Pulsar hatch and sedan sold in Australia are Thai-built Asian-specific models that replaced the unsuccessful Tiida here (the hatch is actually still badged Tiida in other markets) but has failed to live up to sales expectations.
The Euro Pulsar is a completely separate car developed and built in Europe for Europe.
"Nissan have this attitude that they build cars that are market specific, so it is very much a European car," Emery explained.
"We have fully put our hand up and said 'we think that might be what we need in Australia to not just lift Pulsar's profile but sales volume and meet the market expectation [more] than the current car does'.
"So we have flagged that and they know that. Now it is just a matter of what are the inherent things in the car that need to change for Australia, because we are probably the only market on this side of the world in Asia who would probably think it would make a difference.
"So it is unlikely to be used by any other markets we share products with. So it's probably us as a Lone Wolf on that."
Emery said a model such as the Euro Pulsar Nismo – which he first saw in Japan in August – would add volume and solidity to the Nismo brand. 
"It [Euro Pulsar Nismo] certainly fits with what we want to achieve with the Nismo brand. It gives us the breadth we need for Nismo.
"Something like a more mainstream model like Pulsar would add to our ability to go to market in terms of volume and exposure."
The Euro Pulsar joins the Note and Sentra concept in getting recent attention from Nismo. It is ahead of them on the Australian wish list.
Emery made it clear he was happy to launch with high profile and low sales models such as the GT-R Nismo.
"Nismo effectively at the moment is GT-R, Zed and there is a Juke Nismo as well. So to some extent they could fly the flag for that brand in Australia when they maybe become available for us.
"I have a view about Nismos that they need to have the go and not just the show. And those three cars certainly do. They are a good place to start even if they are small volume. 
"There is not really the drive with Nismo for the huge volume and the huge profit. It's more about what it does for the brand and people saying 'I am going to look at that car in that dealership' and they walk out with a Micra or something else. That's where the opportunity lies for us."
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