Following on from the presentation of the 2011 Micra at the Geneva Show earlier this year, Nissan introduced the Japanese domestic market (JDM) version of the all-new supermini called the March, which goes on sale this week.
Unlike its predecessors, the fourth-generation of the JDM March is manufactured in Thailand, marking a new trend for Japanese automakers to move more production out of the country to lower the manufacturing costs.
However, Nissan was quick to point out that it has set up a special inspection process at its Oppama plant in Japan, which produced the previous generation model, to make additional quality checks on the Thai-made March.
The Japanese automaker also plans to build the new Micra / March in India, China and Mexico, where manufacturing costs are low, and sell it in more than 160 countries around the world.
In Japan, the new Nissan March is available with a frugal 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine, while higher-end models also get a new start and stop system, further improving the car's fuel economy.
Among the various grades and trim levels offered in Japan is the Bolero pictured above. This version stands out thanks to a new fascia with a very Bentley-like grille design and a unique front bumper.
The new JDM March is priced between ¥999,600 and ¥1.64 million, with Nissan aiming to sell around 48,000 cars a year in Japan.
