The Fate of the Xterra in Question

[TheFauxFox]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/21/nissan-xterras-fate-hangs-in-the-balance/

http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/nissan-mulls-xterras-future.html

I know this is sour news, but this is the third time I have heard about this, this week. I spoke with 3 Nissan engineers (2 from Canton, MS, and one from Smyrna, TN) as well as a HR rep from HQ about Nissan's focus. They say that their primary plans are to maintain course on the Altima, Maxima, Rouge, Pathfinder, and Versa, which is understandable as these are their popular models. Does that mean they are tossing the Xterra and everything else? Absolutely not, but don't be surprised if the next gen Xterra never comes.

 

[bigjim247365]

i gotta family friend who runs a Nissan dealer around me, ill pay him a visit later this week and ask what his sales are for the Xterra and what he knows about things via my FBI torture 101 handbook.

im surprised MPG is a big deal for Nissan USA. them and Toyota USA have the best Avg MPG rating compared to GM Chrylser and Ford.

we'll see what happens i guess....

 

[Xado89]

Kind of shocks me, too. Out of all the Nissan Models I see Xterra's/Titan's the most around my area. I know 99% of the X's are prob 2wd grocery getters with old people trying to be "Hip" driving them, though. Regardless still popular...

 

[Intender]

I see lots of xterras where I live too, but people are slowly swapping over to other things. Most of the ones in my area are driven by women with a couple of kids. These people are swapping over to crossovers with 3rd row seating, comfortable ride, and decent mileage. We bought our mdx because it got better mileage and was a little bigger (but not too big) than most of the other offerings out there. Both my wife and I didnt like the feel of the cvt in the rogue or the murano, not to mention my mechanic friend said if the cvt ever broke out of warranty it would be cheaper to buy a new car than to fix the cvt. The wife said the armada was just too big, and we were equally unimpressed with what toyota had available.

The X has an enthusiast base, but we buy them and mod them and wheel them till they are too broken to bother with anymore. I expect my X to last me another 7 to 10 years before I look into getting something new, and a company (or just the xterra in this case) cant survive with a dedicated following that only buys a new one every 10-20 years.

 

[drbandkgb]

Well let me tell you guys this.. After taking Nissan people around Windrock they are very happy to see all the love for the Xterra.
Titan is on it way.. So no worries there... Xterra/Frontier is up in the air right now.

I know they have a design.. but its the CAFE standards the current administration has pushed on the auto makers.
I guessing many auto makers are waiting the political futures out a little before making any big plans yet.

 

[gamecock257]

I'm hoping those guys seeing how much we enjoy the X and Fronty will at least keep the big guys at Nissan considering keeping the platform for a 3rd gen. I know we are such a small percentage of the market but all the rugged body on frame 4 wheel drive vehicles are disappearing and the xterra, at least to me,
is the best vehicle left in that segment.

 

[donthegreek]

Update from Nissan:Autonews » Nissan » Nissan not sure if its wants a successor for the Xterra [h=1]Nissan not sure if its wants a successor for the Xterra[/h]by Andrew Christian, Email, 23 Sep, 2013

2013 Nissan Xterra

Nissan will wait for “six months to a year” before deciding whether the aging Xterra should be replaced or if it will be left alone to die a natural death, Pierre Loing, vice president of product planning for Nissan Americas, told Edmunds. The current generation started selling in 2005 and has only received slight changes. Typically, Nissan redesigns or gives major upgrades to its vehicles every five to seven years. Loing said that the Xterra’s fate is hindered by low sales, fuel economy worries and the possible lack of partners. Loing added that since the Xterra is only available in the U.S., it won’t matter that it sells well since developing the replacement would require plenty of resources and may need worldwide partners. He also said that he isn’t sure that the company’s plans will ever be realized. The Xterra made its debut in 1999 and is targeted at off-road fans who want a tough, rugged SUV . The first generation was very successful but its sales have been “disappointing.”

He pointed out that the Xterra and the (Toyota) FJ Cruiser are both “struggling.” In 2000, Nissan sold 88,578 Xterras (its best sales year ever). But in 2012, it only achieved sales of around 17,200. In 2006, the FJ Cruiser went on sale. For that year, it sold about 56,200 units. In comparison, it sold about 13,600 vehicles last year. Loing cited rising gasoline price as a major hurdle, especially that body-on-frame used on the Xterra makes the vehicle heavier and hampers fuel economy .
The EPA said that the two-wheel-drive 2013 Xterra returns 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway. A five-speed automatic transmission is offered as standard. All models have a 261-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 as standard. Nissan has yet to unveil the specifications and pricing for the 2014 Xterra. The U.S. government is pressuring automakers to improve the fuel economy of their cars and trucks.
They’re all expected to raise the mpg of their combined vehicle fleet 4% each year through 2025. The challenges that the Xterra faces bring to light the question of whether the redesigned 2014 Nissan Rogue could replace the body-on-frame SUV. Nissan spokesman Dan Bedore said that he won’t consider the Rogue as a replacement for the Xterra

 

[Kyle]

You know. If they stopped trying to make the Xterra into an street SUV and focused it more as an off roader I think they would have a lot more success.

 

[Xterraforce]

I agree. With Jeep confirming that the next Wrangler is going to IFS, I think this would be the perfect time for Nissan (and Toyota for that matter) to really step it up and take their share of the off road market.

Since I don't know sales numbers, just going by what I see on the street locally it seems like dropping the Armada would be the best move as far as CAFE standards. I see an Armada on the street less in a week than I see Xterras on one trip to work.

 

[drbandkgb]

Many errors in that article. The Xterra is sold in the Middle East. There are a few others too

 

[Macland]

I agree. With Jeep confirming that the next Wrangler is going to IFS, I think this would be the perfect time for Nissan (and Toyota for that matter) to really step it up and take their share of the off road market.

Since I don't know sales numbers, just going by what I see on the street locally it seems like dropping the Armada would be the best move as far as CAFE standards. I see an Armada on the street less in a week than I see Xterras on one trip to work.

Ditto what he said if anyone from Nissan reads this. I know of maybe 3 Armadas in my small college/air force/farming community slightly closed off from the world, great independent survey town. I know of at least a dozen second gen xterras including 3 pro 4xs, and a multitude of first Gens.

Many errors in that article. The Xterra is sold in the Middle East. There are a few others too

Definitely this, those guys are eating up the Xterra!

 

[gamecock257]

I agree. With Jeep confirming that the next Wrangler is going to IFS, I think this would be the perfect time for Nissan (and Toyota for that matter) to really step it up and take their share of the off road market.

Since I don't know sales numbers, just going by what I see on the street locally it seems like dropping the Armada would be the best move as far as CAFE standards. I see an Armada on the street less in a week than I see Xterras on one trip to work.

Can you post the link to where jeep confirmed ifs? Just curious as I haven't heard that.

But I agree with you, Nissan and Toyota could definitely capitalize on the off-road market if that is true. That's going to anger many a jeep owner. And rightfully so, it's not a wrangler without a SFA...

 

[Xterraforce]

Sorry, I overstated that since Jeep hasn't "officially" made the statement. It's one of those things that's been hinted at and more recently it's becoming more prevalent with Jeep officials. In the August 2013 issue of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine, Phil Howell says in 4Word on page 8 "The Wrangler's solid (straight) axle will be replace with an independent suspension. This isn't all bad-think Ford Raptor. The Arctic Cat Wildcat 4x4 side-by-side achieves 18 inches of travel with it's independent suspension! The problem here is Jeep management, according to statements they've made, think they already have an independent suspension that will work on the new Wrangler. Where is that suspension now?"

In another magazine, I don't remember which one or which article but I'll look for it again, Jeep CEO Mike Manley was asked if they were seriously considering IFS in the Wrangler's future. He's reply was "It's already a done deal." When asked what the time frame would be he wouldn't commit to an answer. Pressed later for an "off the record" answer he replied "Mid 2015." This should be taken as speculation until we see them though. Just like we were all pretty sure 2014 was the year of the Gen 3 Xterra. In today's economy it seems nothing is certain until it rolls off the assembly line.

 

[drbandkgb]

Sorry, I overstated that since Jeep hasn't "officially" made the statement. It's one of those things that's been hinted at and more recently it's becoming more prevalent with Jeep officials. In the August 2013 issue of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine, Phil Howell says in 4Word on page 8 "The Wrangler's solid (straight) axle will be replace with an independent suspension. This isn't all bad-think Ford Raptor. The Arctic Cat Wildcat 4x4 side-by-side achieves 18 inches of travel with it's independent suspension! The problem here is Jeep management, according to statements they've made, think they already have an independent suspension that will work on the new Wrangler. Where is that suspension now?"

In another magazine, I don't remember which one or which article but I'll look for it again, Jeep CEO Mike Manley was asked if they were seriously considering IFS in the Wrangler's future. He's reply was "It's already a done deal." When asked what the time frame would be he wouldn't commit to an answer. Pressed later for an "off the record" answer he replied "Mid 2015." This should be taken as speculation until we see them though. Just like we were all pretty sure 2014 was the year of the Gen 3 Xterra. In today's economy it seems nothing is certain until it rolls off the assembly line.

I have read the ifs stuff on the jeep.. Jeep is crushing jeep.. In there rush to make 15 models they are slowly killing the brand. Jeep sold 100k of JKs last year.. Why? Because it looks like what you would want in a off road SUV. Nissan would be happy to sell 50k of the Xterra.. CAFE standards are what will kill the Xterra. That and nissans slowness to move into the next design.
But why are they slow to do this? The Gen 2 Xterra never sold really well.. If you look at the numbers it will show this. Sure you see a ton if them around but I'd hope after almost 10 years if the same design.

I really wish they would move both the frontier and Xterra back to a little smaller vehicle. The 4.0 is a monster engine. So no need to change there.. Maybe add a 6 or 7 speed AT to help hwy miles. I live my gen 2 but she is a pig vs the gen 1.

 

[Xterraforce]

You bring up some very good points. I think in order for the Xterra to survive it would need to go back to something closer to the first gen. I would like to say sales numbers proove that but far too many other things have changed since then. I bet the 4.0 would get some pretty good mpg in a smaller package. I hope Nissan does something to keep the Xterra around. It would be a shame to have true off road performance choices even more limited than they are now.

 

[Scott Peele]

I would not be surprised if the XTerra was phased out. You really can't expect Nissan to keep a model that caters to a niche market, as the costs of producing it would never be made up by sales. How many people can honestly say that they are going to buy a new XTerra model? If even 10% of people on this and other XTerra boards plan to do that I would be surprised. The affection I have for my XTerra certainly does not hinge on whether or not Nissan decides to keep the XTerra line.

 

[drbandkgb]

I would not be surprised if the XTerra was phased out. You really can't expect Nissan to keep a model that caters to a niche market, as the costs of producing it would never be made up by sales. How many people can honestly say that they are going to buy a new XTerra model? If even 10% of people on this and other XTerra boards plan to do that I would be surprised. The affection I have for my XTerra certainly does not hinge on whether or not Nissan decides to keep the XTerra line.

I would buy. Gen 3

 

[TKDx00]

I'd be part of that 10%. Turn Steena into a fulltime overland project.

 

[Prime]

I'm still trying to talk my wife into getting one. And it'd be brand spanking new

 

[ThePlasticOne]

you really can't expect nissan to keep a model that caters to a niche market, as the costs of producing it would never be made up by sales.

gt-r.

 

[Slasa]

I bought a new '13.

 

[Xterraforce]

Personally I think it needs to be even more niche market to help sales. If they try to add more luxury or take away any of it's off road capability they're just going to end up blurring the line between the Pathfinder or Rouge or whatever else crossover type. Why compete with your own products?