Nissan showcases speedster while eyeing bigger market

Nissan has brought one of the world’s fastest production cars, the GT-R, to the Russian market. It’s one of several elite models premiered at the motor show in Moscow, said to have more luxury cars than any other capital. Japan’s number 3 automaker reveal

The GT-R has a top speed of 192 miles an hour and 0-60 acceleration of 3.2 seconds. In April it broke the Nurburgring track record. Along with the Infiniti fx35-50 the GT-R’s is on show in East Europe for the first time, as Nissan targets 2008 sales growth of 45% according to Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President.

“For this year most probably we’ll be around 180,000 if we combine both brands. We expect to  continue to grow beyond the growth market.”

The country’s bucking the global move to fuel-efficient cars. Next month Nissan enters Russia’s lucrative pickup market with the Cabstar and NP300. Pickup per-vehicle profit can be $10,000 compared to $100 for small cars. Dmitry Mikhailov, Head of production at Nissan Russia says competition will be tough.

“Market is definitely growing and light commercial vehicles is next priority for the company. It's going to be tough competition between the manufacturers.”

Of Nissan’s 14 models on show, 8 are SUVs. Nissan’s showroom consultant told Reuters “it’s not the Russian style to worry about fuel efficiency.”