Ghosn hints at killing Nissan Titan

[BigA]

Originally Posted by Buildwonder

Everyone needs to look at this from a business perspective. Why in the world would Nissan continue to build a vehicle from which it makes little or no profit? I love my Titan as much as the next guy and was giddy with anxiety to see its' newest incarnation in '09 but at the same time the buying public has pretty much taken a sh*t on the Titan. 60,000+ units so far in '07?!? That's horrible! The full size truck market is and always will be dominated by the Big 3 and that's a plain and simple fact that any of us can clearly see. Getting a devout Detroit truck buyer to buy "foreign" is a daunting and apparently fruitless task. Even the Tundra has approximately half of Dodge's third-place sales. I hate to think of the Titan's demise just as the rest of you, but we can't honestly say that we didn't see it coming. As far as the Titan diesel goes, forget about it. You'll never convince a hard-core diesel fan to go "foreign". Look at the trouble GM initially had with the Duramax being connected with Isuzu! Even Toyota recognizes that. Yes folks, the day is coming I think and myself personally am going to buy as many aftermarket parts as I think I want because that too may eventually dry up. The aftermarket industry barely supports the Titan as it is anyway compared to domestics. I know my post will probably be flamed and I'll be labeled as a pessimist. I'll label myself as a sad realist.

I agree, but the Titan is Nissan fifth best selling vehicle out of the 13 models they offer, so while the Titan has sold much less then the competition, compared to other Nissan models its not to bad. Where Nissan is losing the money right know I'm guessing is in the huge 5K rebates.

[skyhammer]

Originally Posted by BigA

I agree, but the Titan is Nissan fifth best selling vehicle out of the 13 models they offer, so while the Titan has sold much less then the competition, compared to other Nissan models its not to bad. Where Nissan is losing the money right know I'm guessing is in the huge 5K rebates.

While I see your point, the Titans closest competitor(for sales),the Tundra, is selling more than 300% more trucks on a month to month basis than the Titan.
Add in the rebates, warranty claims, and public perception(Ghosen's statement certainly hasn't helped there), you can see why the Titan faces an uphill battle to stay in production.

[royr]

Originally Posted by Arachnid

Do you really feel that is a realistic option?

No - not if Nissan discontinues the Amada along with the Titan. Did not realise that Amada did not sell well - our mall parking lots are FULL of Armadas - probably 36 of them for every Titan I see around my area. Go figure that both exceptionally good vehicles may soon share the same fate as the Ford Edsel - extinction due to public apathy and lack of corporate support..

[Buildwonder]

Originally Posted by BigA

I agree, but the Titan is Nissan fifth best selling vehicle out of the 13 models they offer, so while the Titan has sold much less then the competition, compared to other Nissan models its not to bad. Where Nissan is losing the money right know I'm guessing is in the huge 5K rebates.

I disagree slightly with your comment on the rebate part of it. Rebates on new vehicles are the status quo now. They're almost a gimme when you think of it. Auto manufacturers lose as much and sometimes more on finance incentives, especially 0% for 60 months. I do agree wholeheartedly however with the comments within this thread in regards to marketing, or lack thereof. We live in a society where the majority of people want to be "told" what it is that they like. Information, marketing, and "propaganda" if you will, go a LOOOONG way with the public. We're (Titan owners) all a testament to the opposite almost. "Outside-of-the-box" buyers. My brother-in-law is a general manager for one of the Charlotte, NC area's largest Chevy stores and his comment when he heard I was buying a Titan was "why would anyone buy a foreign truck?". Granted, he's slightly biased, but that's the common thought process I feel. If it's true that the Big 3 pay-off magazine reviewers, then dammit so should Nissan. Shame on them for not conforming, right? If it's sales and public opinion you're after, then game on! If Nissan truly wanted a piece of the largest automotive sales segment, full-size trucks, then they should or should have done much more regarding marketing and brand awareness.

[matthews]

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/news...slertitan.html

[daptech]

So, if the Titan continues it may be a rebadged Dodge.

[JCollins28]

Originally Posted by daptech

So, if the Titan continues it may be a rebadged Dodge.

Gives a whole new meaning to the Ford saying of F*cked Over Rebuild Dodge.

[konigfritz]

All of this is speculation. Just remember that.

I do think we need to get all the forums together and send a mass group of emails/letters to Nissan N. America. telling them how much we love our trucks.

[SlikRick]

I've driven Nissan's since I could legally drive, they have always been great trouble free vehicles. If they partner up with an American manufacturer their quality will take a dump. From both of my 85 720's, my 97 Altima , to my wife's 04 3.5SE, her 06 3.5 SL Maxima, my 05 CC Frontier to my 06 Texas Titan Crew Cab the quality and reliability has always been there. But if Nissan would only advertise as much as the big 3, I know sales would skyrocket, but then again taking our current economy into consideration it might not help much. I also think NissanTitan sales are hindered largely by the limited packaging.

[SlikRick]

Titan sales are up this year compared to all other Nissan truck units. This is a link to Nissan total sales for 06 and 07. http://www.nissannews.com/corporate/...03114649.shtml

[TitanBlue]

I also bought the Betamax, so what can I say...I'll just buy the BBK Throttle Body, and call it all, a collectors item.

Honestly, they have to consider what is best for their future, I still think they have a great product, that needs marketing. The footwork of improvements is already coming. Put out a good 1/2 ton diesel before Toyota does, and leapfrog the competition, if you are ready...

Lots of speculation now, we need to wait, and support it if we really think the Titan is important.

[FourDoor]

60k units to date? Man that sucks. As much as I like our Titan community here, I would definitely not mind if it was larger and he had a bigger aftermarket support.

Look at SEMA this year. How many Tundra's were being displayed compared to Titans? Any business owner out there wants to target the largest market for potential $ profit. If there are only 60k of us out there with a smaller majority wanting to modify their trucks, it's not looking good.

[Bootzon]

Who's running Nissan... Bobby Pitrino?

[JCollins28]

I just do not see why they would want to join forces with Cerberus. Those guys are going down a long road and desperation is a stinky cologne. Chrysler/Dodge is headed for worse shape then any car manufacture out there. If anyone needs someone in this partnership it would be Dodge needing Nissan here in a year or two.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...4028904522.htm

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stori...71216193.shtml

Stay away!

[Buildwonder]

Originally Posted by TitanBlue

I also bought the Betamax, so what can I say...I'll just buy the BBK Throttle Body, and call it all, a collectors item.

Honestly, they have to consider what is best for their future, I still think they have a great product, that needs marketing. The footwork of improvements is already coming. Put out a good 1/2 ton diesel before Toyota does, and leapfrog the competition, if you are ready...

Lots of speculation now, we need to wait, and support it if we really think the Titan is important.

It's my understanding that Ford is already planning on releasing a diesel F-150 for model year 2009. They beat everyone to it. However, diesel fuel is so high right now and there's no sign of it coming down soon. Double-edged sword if you ask me. Not to mention this: why the hell do you need more HP and torque than what's available for 1/2 tons anyway? Increasing power won't increase towing capabilities by much. The 1/2 ton chassis can't take much more than it's already capable of towing. Increased fuel economy yes, but at what cost? $5000 upgrade to a diesel motor and matching tranny? Doesn't add up, IMO.