Nissan Canada Engineers Share Automaker’s Future Plans
Although automakers have put product launches on the backburner due to the pandemic, automotive engineers are still hard at work behind the scenes. Nissan Canada proved that by allowing its engineers to mingle with automotive journalists over a few Gran Turismo matches, all from the safety of their respective homes. Here’s what these engineers shared about the automaker’s current projects and plans for the future.
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Safety first
Photo: Nissan
Nissan engineer, Joseph Mueller, who serves as the Manager of Restraints Design, explained that crash testing is still going on — even when most employees are working from home. Safety testing facilities remain operational, although with a limited staff, intense sanitization procedures, and social distancing guidelines. That said, Mueller reports that there currently aren’t any delays in the automaker’s product development cycle.
Future products
The engineers hinted that Nissan is working hard to reinvigorate its lineup with fresh ideas and updated technology. Nissan’s Taosif Alam, an Engineer in Marketability, helps translate consumer feedback into product innovations. Alam says the automaker is currently crafting the “freshest lineup of cars in the entire automotive industry.”
During these tough times in the automotive industry, it’s understandable that Nissan would want to shift gears and give drivers a renewed, inspiring lineup of vehicles. Alam expressed that drivers demand more from their vehicles nowadays, and that’s fueled Nissan’s decision to renovate its models.
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Updates and diversification
Photo: Nissan
The new wave of refreshed Nissan models won’t hit the market all at once. The first model to roll out will be the next-generation Nissan Rogue, set to hit dealership lots in late 2020. Alam speculated that the new Rogue could offer a variety of trims, including a rugged, adventurous model and an energetic, athletic variant. The Pathfinder, another fan-favorite SUV, is expected to follow suit.
Also, you may wonder what the future holds for Nissan’s performance-oriented models, like the GT-R and the Sentra SE-R. Although nothing has been confirmed, rest assured that the model has plenty of fans among Nissan’s engineers.
“Everyone within my team would like to see the SE-R return,” Alam explained. “There is a potential for it, with rivals like the Civic Si, Golf GTI, and Veloster N, so who knows?”
For more of the latest Nissan news, stay tuned to The News Wheel.
Kimiko Kidd is a native Daytonian. She graduated from Wright State University with degrees in environmental science and sociology. She loves her trusty old Honda Civic, but dreams of owning a 1974 Ford Falcon XB with a custom paint job and a vintage Kawasaki Z1000. In her free time, Kimiko can be found watercolor-painting, baking muffins, collecting rocks, playing old-school Nintendo games, writing her novel, sewing stuffed animals, and cosplaying as her favorite Mad Max characters. See more articles by Kimiko.