Nissan Expanding in Russia and Launches New Almera

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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sees Russia as a major future market. In 2014 it will have three brands on sale there - DatsunClaveauFrance, 1926 > 19561 model
, NissanInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
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and Infiniti. At the Moscow Motor Show it made its future ambitions in Russia clear, and debuted the new AlmeraNissan Almera Gen.3Japan, 2006 > 2012 sedan. 

Nissan already holds a 5.5% share of the Russian market, and sales grew by 75% last year. Its goal is to hold a 10% market share and have 80% of Russian-sold cars built locally by 2015. 

Nissan has built the new Almera specifically for Russia. It is heavy-duty enough to handle its rough roads and weather. That means that it features extended ground clearance, underbody protection and extra anti-corrosion protection. The underbody protection is made from a 2mm thick sheet of steel that covers most of the underbody.

According to Nissan, Russian buyers are looking for a large car with a low price. Therefore, the Almera is quite a large sedan but will not be expensive. The car has the largest interior in its class and has 500 liters of rear cargo space.

The Almera will use a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder with 102hp and 145Nm of torque with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. 

It will be available in three model grades: Welcome, Comfort and Tekna. It will be available with optional heated seats and navigation. 

"To create the car we have taken the best engineers from Japan, Europe and Russia and immersed them in the specific demands of the region. The new Nissan Almera is a Russian car through and through," said François Goupil de Bouille, Manager of Nissan Russia.

The Almera will go on sale on March 13 in Russia and on April 13 in the Ukraine.  Nissan will reveal prices closer to launch.