Has Nissan Lost its Soul?
02-13-2014, 09:05 AM
#1
Has Nissan Lost its Soul?
So true.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenh...-carlos-ghosn/
I would raise another concern about Ghosn’s strategy and leadership at Nissan. It is whether under this “global businessman,” Nissan is not losing its Japanese culture and identity, something more ultimately threatening to the company than one or two years’ results.
Why am I concerned about Nissan’s “soul”? My concern is less about volume or location of sales, and more about manufacturing and R&D presence. Under Ghosn, Nissan has been aggressively forming overseas joint ventures, locating new plants and R&D outside of Japan, to a degree that threatens to dilute and weaken the Japanese stylistic, quality, and “feel” characteristic that make Japanese cars competitive.
Ghosn is truly a global executive with a global perspective. But how far can global Japanese companies go–or be taken–before they lose the Japaneseness that made them great? We may find out.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenh...-carlos-ghosn/
I would raise another concern about Ghosn’s strategy and leadership at Nissan. It is whether under this “global businessman,” Nissan is not losing its Japanese culture and identity, something more ultimately threatening to the company than one or two years’ results.
Why am I concerned about Nissan’s “soul”? My concern is less about volume or location of sales, and more about manufacturing and R&D presence. Under Ghosn, Nissan has been aggressively forming overseas joint ventures, locating new plants and R&D outside of Japan, to a degree that threatens to dilute and weaken the Japanese stylistic, quality, and “feel” characteristic that make Japanese cars competitive.
Ghosn is truly a global executive with a global perspective. But how far can global Japanese companies go–or be taken–before they lose the Japaneseness that made them great? We may find out.
02-13-2014, 10:39 AM
#2
In my opinion, yes absolutely Nissan has lost it's soul. Just a bunch of bland pieces of **** with CVT's shoved down the general public's throat. I cant stand new school Nissan. The only good cars left are the 370Z ans GT-R, THE ONLY two cars left in their lineup that are made in Japan. Now that some of the Infinti brand is being made in the US I've lost a lot of faith. I like Japanese things and Nissan just isn't very Japanese anymore and it makes me sad. They don't make performance oriented versions anymore of their lower tier cars, a "4 door sports car" has a CVT only transmission option. Bums me right the hell out.
02-13-2014, 11:27 AM
#3
What carmaker has not lost its soul?
Mercedes Benz now makes a FWD car
BMW now makes a FWD car.
All British cars are not really that British anymore. The most glaring example would be Jaguar. They've been on the verge of bankruptcy for over a decade now. They make good cars but they just aren't iconic anymore, like the XJ series, the E type etc. They're barely recognizable now.
Porsche makes an SUV.
Porsche stretched the 911 into a 4 door sedan.
Volkswagen, the makers of the Beetle, own Porsche. Ironic, isn't it?
Volkswagen, the makers of the Beetle, also own Bentley and (I think) Bugatti.
The Mini has made a comeback, but is it really that small? Compare it to the original Mini.
All carmakers had to give in to market forces somehow.
Give Nissan some credit. The 370Z exists, and its still got a manual. They made the GTR R35, and this time they made it a world car.
Where's the Supra?
Where's the NSX?
Where's the RX 7, 8? OK, they still make the Miata...mini bonus points
Where's the Mistsubishi 3000 GT VR4?
Nissan may not be what it used to be, but given today's environment, i think it would be safe to say they're trying, but they do have to adapt to survive.
Mercedes Benz now makes a FWD car
BMW now makes a FWD car.
All British cars are not really that British anymore. The most glaring example would be Jaguar. They've been on the verge of bankruptcy for over a decade now. They make good cars but they just aren't iconic anymore, like the XJ series, the E type etc. They're barely recognizable now.
Porsche makes an SUV.
Porsche stretched the 911 into a 4 door sedan.
Volkswagen, the makers of the Beetle, own Porsche. Ironic, isn't it?
Volkswagen, the makers of the Beetle, also own Bentley and (I think) Bugatti.
The Mini has made a comeback, but is it really that small? Compare it to the original Mini.
All carmakers had to give in to market forces somehow.
Give Nissan some credit. The 370Z exists, and its still got a manual. They made the GTR R35, and this time they made it a world car.
Where's the Supra?
Where's the NSX?
Where's the RX 7, 8? OK, they still make the Miata...mini bonus points
Where's the Mistsubishi 3000 GT VR4?
Nissan may not be what it used to be, but given today's environment, i think it would be safe to say they're trying, but they do have to adapt to survive.
02-13-2014, 11:52 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 966
What carmaker has not lost its soul?
Mercedes Benz now makes a FWD car
BMW now makes a FWD car.
All British cars are not really that British anymore. The most glaring example would be Jaguar. They've been on the verge of bankruptcy for over a decade now. They make good cars but they just aren't iconic anymore, like the XJ series, the E type etc. They're barely recognizable now.
Porsche makes an SUV.
Porsche stretched the 911 into a 4 door sedan.
Volkswagen, the makers of the Beetle, own Porsche. Ironic, isn't it?
Volkswagen, the makers of the Beetle, also own Bentley and (I think) Bugatti.
The Mini has made a comeback, but is it really that small? Compare it to the original Mini.
All carmakers had to give in to market forces somehow.
Give Nissan some credit. The 370Z exists, and its still got a manual. They made the GTR R35, and this time they made it a world car.
Where's the Supra?
Where's the NSX?
Where's the RX 7, 8? OK, they still make the Miata...mini bonus points
Where's the Mistsubishi 3000 GT VR4?
Nissan may not be what it used to be, but given today's environment, i think it would be safe to say they're trying, but they do have to adapt to survive.
Mercedes Benz now makes a FWD car
BMW now makes a FWD car.
All British cars are not really that British anymore. The most glaring example would be Jaguar. They've been on the verge of bankruptcy for over a decade now. They make good cars but they just aren't iconic anymore, like the XJ series, the E type etc. They're barely recognizable now.
Porsche makes an SUV.
Porsche stretched the 911 into a 4 door sedan.
Volkswagen, the makers of the Beetle, own Porsche. Ironic, isn't it?
Volkswagen, the makers of the Beetle, also own Bentley and (I think) Bugatti.
The Mini has made a comeback, but is it really that small? Compare it to the original Mini.
All carmakers had to give in to market forces somehow.
Give Nissan some credit. The 370Z exists, and its still got a manual. They made the GTR R35, and this time they made it a world car.
Where's the Supra?
Where's the NSX?
Where's the RX 7, 8? OK, they still make the Miata...mini bonus points
Where's the Mistsubishi 3000 GT VR4?
Nissan may not be what it used to be, but given today's environment, i think it would be safe to say they're trying, but they do have to adapt to survive.
02-13-2014, 11:59 AM
#6
Nissan is losing the Japaneseness that made them great. Their Japanese soul. As a people the Japanese tend to be very honorable and very serious about quality and precision. I can see the difference in the construction of my 98 Maxima compared to the 2014 I just bought.
Honda and Toyota may be doing a better job of retaining their Japanese soul. Especially with their Lexus and Acura lines. Nissan is now just another Hyundia/Kia/VW/ect.
Honda and Toyota may be doing a better job of retaining their Japanese soul. Especially with their Lexus and Acura lines. Nissan is now just another Hyundia/Kia/VW/ect.
Last edited by Nopike; 02-15-2014 at 10:05 PM.
02-13-2014, 04:31 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: The Northeast
Posts: 681
With the exception of high end performance cars, nearly every car today looks the same. Japanese cars in particular have lost their individuality and soul. The last good car Nissan made was the 5.5 gen Maxima. I wish Japanese companies still made their cars in Japan. There is something special about seeing that "Made in Japan" sticker on the door jamb. My 2013 Honda Pilot was made in Alabama and it just doesn't feel the same as a Japanese-made Honda. Nissan, Honda and Toyota started losing their way in the early-to-mid 2000s; the glory days of the imports are long gone.
Last edited by mclasser; 02-13-2014 at 04:33 PM.
02-13-2014, 07:06 PM
#9
What carmaker has not lost its soul?
Where's the Supra?
Where's the NSX?
Where's the RX 7, 8? OK, they still make the Miata...mini bonus points
Where's the Mistsubishi 3000 GT VR4?
Nissan may not be what it used to be, but given today's environment, i think it would be safe to say they're trying, but they do have to adapt to survive.
Where's the Supra?
Where's the NSX?
Where's the RX 7, 8? OK, they still make the Miata...mini bonus points
Where's the Mistsubishi 3000 GT VR4?
Nissan may not be what it used to be, but given today's environment, i think it would be safe to say they're trying, but they do have to adapt to survive.
02-13-2014, 11:59 PM
#12
I've said this multiple times, Nissan lost it's way when Ghosn took over and changed the business model from what it was, to what everything else is.
The junk yards are already littered with post Ghosn junk that I couldn't care less about.
The junk yards are already littered with post Ghosn junk that I couldn't care less about.
02-15-2014, 05:33 AM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 84
Toyota used to have awesome Supra's and Celica's. Gone. Honda had the S2000. Gone. Mazda had the RX8. Gone. Mitsubishi had the 3000GT and Conquest. Gone. Fact of the matter is none of the Japanese company's are making the great cars they used to.
02-15-2014, 06:55 AM
#18
I think theyre still kicking, but theyre going downhill fast. My dad had a 1993 Altima and I loved that car! When I was younger I wanted that to be my car and even today id love to have it. It had that Japanese feel, look, and smell! Even the little things like automatic seat belts and the HUD speedometer were awesome! Also, that car ran over 365,000 miles without EVER needing any major repairs/replacements (such as engine/tranny). Not to mention the fact that it ran on 3 of 4 cylinders for the last few years of its life without any issues, never once broke down, and he took it to Mexico and back right before we got rid of it. It had finally rusted thru the stock exhaust and needed other things to pass inspections.. but you dont put 2 to 3 grand into a car with over 365k so we scrapped it back in 2009. Anyways, all I've heard about the newer nissans is that they're not very reliable and certainly will not achieve 200,000 let alone 365,000. Plus as others have mentioned, the styling has all just swirled together and they all look alike and look pretty "ehhh." I love my 5th gen. It looks like no other nissan and on the outside it really doesnt even resemble its I30 sister. I was disappointed in the 2004-2007/2008 altimas/maximas because they looked so much alike. I thought it was just a phase.. but obviously not. Id rather have my 5th gen over a newer maxima because they are losing soul and its sad. I HATE the juke, versa, cube, and the recent sentras(NEW ones are better) have been awful and make me think of KIA. Oh and I had a quest as a rental car last month and it was garbage. But sadly, all we can do is kick back and watch it unfold.
02-15-2014, 09:55 PM
#19
Because people are brainwashed into thinking Honda and possibly Toyota are god's gift to cars. And Nissan fans are after specific trendy models. Anything Nissan that's not Z, S or R, people either don't know or don't care about. They just want what's in their video game.
02-16-2014, 09:44 AM
#23
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 290
This is why I drive a 4th gen 97 Maxima 
and even though its got 200k (km's) on it I feel its still worth putting the money in to her to make her as new as possible, rather than buying the 2013 model.
and the almighty "vq30de" engine
rebuild the old screw the new until Nissan pulls their heads out of their asses
and even though its got 200k (km's) on it I feel its still worth putting the money in to her to make her as new as possible, rather than buying the 2013 model.
and the almighty "vq30de" engine
rebuild the old screw the new until Nissan pulls their heads out of their asses
02-16-2014, 06:03 PM
#25
Nissan is losing its Japanese culture and identity, something more ultimately threatening to the company than one or two years’ results.
Under Ghosn, Nissan has been aggressively forming overseas joint ventures, locating new plants and R&D outside of Japan, to a degree that threatens to dilute and weaken the Japanese stylistic, quality, and “feel” characteristic that make Japanese cars competitive.
Ghosn is truly a global executive with a global perspective. But how far can global Japanese companies go–or be taken–before they lose the Japaneseness that made them great? We may find out.
Under Ghosn, Nissan has been aggressively forming overseas joint ventures, locating new plants and R&D outside of Japan, to a degree that threatens to dilute and weaken the Japanese stylistic, quality, and “feel” characteristic that make Japanese cars competitive.
Ghosn is truly a global executive with a global perspective. But how far can global Japanese companies go–or be taken–before they lose the Japaneseness that made them great? We may find out.
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