If sports cars=little profit for Honda....
#11
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Originally Posted by CBeyond,Apr 18 2005, 03:42 PM
Don't forget that Nissan has previously been thought of as occupying the "second tier" among japanese automakers, below Honda and Toyota. Perhaps they are ascending to the first tier now.
It was only a few years ago that Nissan brought in Carlos Ghosn as CEO to save the company from the brink of destruction. I'm not surprised that they haven't had the money to spend on an factory team in international motorsport. Nor am I surprised that they don't consider this a worthwhile investment now. It's probably not a rational choice for ANY mass market carmaker.
Nissan does compete in the JGTC, which I believe they dominate... If I'm not mistaken?
It was only a few years ago that Nissan brought in Carlos Ghosn as CEO to save the company from the brink of destruction. I'm not surprised that they haven't had the money to spend on an factory team in international motorsport. Nor am I surprised that they don't consider this a worthwhile investment now. It's probably not a rational choice for ANY mass market carmaker.
Nissan does compete in the JGTC, which I believe they dominate... If I'm not mistaken?
Nissan has a very rich racing history, including great lemans history, there was a period of the 80s where the Nissan racers were dominant.
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The 350Z is Nissan's Japanese Mustang GT. You cannot much compare the quality and engineering to the S2000, although it does have a great motor. My parents own a Z Roadster and it feels cheap compared to my S and oh, by the way, it was about $2k more.
Nissans are not what they used to be. I much more liked their product of the late 80's/early 90's.
Nissans are not what they used to be. I much more liked their product of the late 80's/early 90's.
#13
Originally Posted by 565565,Apr 18 2005, 08:27 PM
JGTC is alot like Nascar, its all kept close with rules. The winner is penalized in the next season. Nissan has won the last two season, but its hard for teams to dominate.
Nissan has a very rich racing history, including great lemans history, there was a period of the 80s where the Nissan racers were dominant.
Nissan has a very rich racing history, including great lemans history, there was a period of the 80s where the Nissan racers were dominant.
#14
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Originally Posted by vvtli78k,Apr 18 2005, 05:39 PM
nissan has the same 3.5 v6 in their altima, maxima, Z, g35, fx35, i35. g35 sedan, m35, murano, not sure about frontier, neways i guess that is how they save money. very few hondas and acuras share the same engine
Parts bin swapping is very much alive and well at AHM.
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350Z should be profitable for Nissan...they sell something like ~30,000 of those a year and there is a lot of parts sharing going on in Nissan....this makes the 350Z less "special" in my book but i'm sure this is why Nissan is making an upturn....plus they don't seem to be afraid to make new, exciting products unlike boring Honda and Toyota.
#17
The question is not part sharing that bothers me.... it is the weight of the car that I don't like about the 350Z.
Image a slim down 350z that is 200+ pounds lighter because they do not have to take on the heavy sedan chassis. And then put lightened hatch and bonnett (like the s2k). That ~300 hp engine would do wonders to that car.
But then Nissan would not pocket as much money... and cost more at the same time.
Image a slim down 350z that is 200+ pounds lighter because they do not have to take on the heavy sedan chassis. And then put lightened hatch and bonnett (like the s2k). That ~300 hp engine would do wonders to that car.
But then Nissan would not pocket as much money... and cost more at the same time.
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Originally Posted by marthafokker,Apr 19 2005, 01:29 PM
The question is not part sharing that bothers me.... it is the weight of the car that I don't like about the 350Z.
Image a slim down 350z that is 200+ pounds lighter because they do not have to take on the heavy sedan chassis. And then put lightened hatch and bonnett (like the s2k). That ~300 hp engine would do wonders to that car.
But then Nissan would not pocket as much money... and cost more at the same time.
Image a slim down 350z that is 200+ pounds lighter because they do not have to take on the heavy sedan chassis. And then put lightened hatch and bonnett (like the s2k). That ~300 hp engine would do wonders to that car.
But then Nissan would not pocket as much money... and cost more at the same time.
#20
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Only problem is that they gained that hp at the expense of tq. If I told you that I can add 15 hp to your car, but it would take 15 lb.-ft. of tq. away, would you do it ? I wouldn't.
There are several ways the 350Z is more profitable than the S2000 :
1) Economies of Scale - The more you make, the less cost per unit.
2) Cheaper Materials - The interior quality of 350Z is absolutely awful.
Clearly evident that Nissan cut corners in an effort to reduce costs.
3) Platform sharing - Reduces initial costs for a project, As you can
spread the R&D across the line vs. single car. Reduced costs =
more profitability on the books.
There are several ways the 350Z is more profitable than the S2000 :
1) Economies of Scale - The more you make, the less cost per unit.
2) Cheaper Materials - The interior quality of 350Z is absolutely awful.
Clearly evident that Nissan cut corners in an effort to reduce costs.
3) Platform sharing - Reduces initial costs for a project, As you can
spread the R&D across the line vs. single car. Reduced costs =
more profitability on the books.