Nissan is set to introduce the Note in Thailand next year, as part of its second phase Thai eco car plans, the Bangkok Post reports. The Note is a high-roofed five-door hatchback in the style of the Honda Jazz. The latest Note with a range extender hybrid system was unveiled for the Japanese market in October.
Nissan was a pioneer in the first phase of the Thai eco car programme from 2007, and currently sells the March and Almera in the Land of Smiles. With 258,727 units sold, the Japanese carmaker is also the car company with the most eco cars sold, well ahead of Mitsubishi (133,005) and Toyota (129,985).
Both the Almera sedan and March hatchback are powered by a 1.2 litre three-cylinder engine in Thailand, paired to either a five-speed manual or a CVT automatic. The HR12DE three-pot is the same engine that sits under the hood of the JDM Note e-Power, which adds on electric motor from the Leaf EV. The petrol engine is not connected to the front axle, and merely powers the motor – it’s a unique system that you can read in detail here. It would probably not make it to the Thai eco car, which has to be affordable to the masses.
The second phase of Thailand’s eco car plan promises even more affordable cars, with excise tax cut to 12-14% from 17% in the first phase. Launched in late 2013, the second phase drew applications from Mazda, Ford, GM, SAIC Motor-CP (MG) and Volkswagen, joining first phase companies Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Toyota. Mazda was first off the block with second phase production (with the Mazda 2), but GM withdrew last year.
GALLERY: JDM Nissan Note e-Power
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Tan Chong masih tidur, still don’t want to replace their dinosaur VSC-less line ups
What bollocks! Brand not from tomyam, buatan not from tomyam. Assembly ade lah.
Thats like calling P2 a true national car brand… oh wai…
Please bring in la this Tan Chong….nice looking car
We hopefully will be happen.
I assumed its a future model derived from the Kicks platform, Nissan’s most current B segment platform. Its funny how the March’s V platform was lengthen to create the Almera/Versa, then its butt shortened to develop the Note. The former models have aged, and new replacement is timely for 2017.
The Jazz/Fit contender I guess?
If the Note is Jazz’s contender, then the Micra/March would be Picanto or i10’s contender. I wish both Note and March will be launched officialy in Malaysia. The last March ever brought into Malaysia was ugly af. But the new one is much better looking