Montreal Has Monopoly On A-Segment Debuts

by Derek Kreindler

January 9th, 2014 12:40 PM

montreal has monopoly on a segment debuts

The often-ignored Montreal Auto Show will have two major debuts, both A-segment cars that may not make it past the 49th parallel. According to Autos.ca, Mitsubishi will debut a production-ready version of the G4 concept, aka a Mirage sedan, while Nissan will show off a Canadian-spec Micra. The diminutive Micra will likely slot below the Versa Note in size, but perhaps be positioned as a chic city car, to compete with the Fiat 500.

#A-Segment #Mitsubishi #MitsubishiMirage #Montreal #Nissan #NissanMicra

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14 of 16 comments

Big Al from Oz on Jan 09, 2014

I think as the Canadian's move more towards the EU with vehicle trade this kind of event will occur. This doesn't take into account the vehicle make up in Canada is slightly different from the US. The EU will take advantage of this situation over the Canadian's southern neighbour.

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- Onus on Jan 09, 2014
  
  It will only be temporary. The US is also negotiating much the same thing. It is also my understanding that Canada has not yet formulated what standards it will except as alternatives to CMVSS. Currently it only allows ECE headlights as alternatives. Plus Canada is a small market and will likely still get 90% US models. Much like New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand accepts FMVSS, CMVSS, ADR, JIS, EU. But for new cars get Australian models and they have to wait for the models to get ADR certified.
  
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- Th009 on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @Onus Technically Canada has already agreed to accept the same standards as Mexico (which includes ECE). However, the federal government has been dragging its heels on implementing this for the past few years.
  
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- Big Al from Oz on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @Onus Here's a link worth reading. I don't think a decision is made yet. Options 2 & 3 are the most viable with Option 3 being the recommended option to accept. Most ADR (and probably US) standards meet UNECE vehicle harmonisation regulations. They don't require to be 're-assessed' if already assessed in another UNECE compliant country. Also, New Zealand gets a little bit of a free ride with Australia. New Zealand is consulted heavily in regards to our ADR's. Australia will move to comply fully with other signatory UNECE nations. As well the collapse of our own vehicle manufacturing sector will affect the outcome. The adoption of UNECE harmonisation regulations started over 15 years ago. I think the Canadian's have already started researching their position regarding the adoption of the UNECE regulations during or even prior to the FTA talks with the the EU. http://ris.finance.gov.au/files/2012/03/03-Harmonisation-of-the-ADRs-RIS.pdf
  
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- Lou_BC on Jan 10, 2014
  
  @th009 Ontario politicians backed by USA based auto companies have successfully lobbied Ottawa in the past to keep tariffs on vehicles imported outside of NAFTA. I would bet that the government is dragging its feet due to pressure from that same group. Chrysler and GMC both threatened to pull out of Ontario if they did not get bailout money for their Canadian divisions.
  
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Volt 230 on Jan 09, 2014

The Fiat 500 has done pretty well in the US, I don't see why these cars cannot come to the US, I'm sure they're better than the 500. The new Mirage here has been lambasted by the auto media.

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- Marcelo de Vasconcellos on Jan 09, 2014
  
  Hey Volt! They're not better than the 500. They're simpler. Believe me, it shows. The 500 inhabits the so-called "premium" small car market, the March/Micra doesn't. It doesn't mean it's a bad car, it's not, but it's less refined. Here, for example, everybody pretty much agrees it's an inferior car regarding the New Fiesta for example. So can it compete with the 500? In a way (size) yes, in most other ways, no.
  
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- Volt 230 on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @Marcelo de Vasconcellos You get what you pay for, right? Fiesta costs a lot more than these.
  
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- Dimwit on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @Marcelo de Vasconcellos It all depends on the pricepoint. If they slot it below the 500 then they can get by without a lot of changes. A sub $18k hatch would go over very well here.
  
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- Whynot on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @Volt 230 Depends on where you live. In Europe they are priced very similar and in some markets the Fiesta is actually cheaper than the Micra.
  
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- Whynot on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @Dimwit They already have a sub $18k hatch. The Note starts at ~$14k (~$2k less than the 500). I struggle to see how Nissan can bring over the Micra to the US and actually make money off of it without cannibalizing their own products. The only way to make it work IS to try and make it "chic", the cheap route is a no go.
  
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- Marcelo de Vasconcellos on Jan 09, 2014
  
  @whynot Hey whynot. Yes pricing depends on a plethora of variables such as brand cachet, place of production, exchange rates etc., etc., etc. Unless the European Micra/March is completely different from the Mexican one we get in Brazil, I don't really see it as a direct competitor. I've driven the March and it's quite good, though Fiesta, and others, are better. As to an explanation as to why that's so, read Varezhka's post below.
  
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Varezhka on Jan 09, 2014

The last (3rd) generation Nissan March/Micra was a cute looking alternative to Toyota Vitz/Yaris, but the current (4th) generation was designed first and foremost as a small family car for developing markets. The design is a bit more generic for the world market, but more importantly, the car is designed to a price point and actually less refined than the last generation. I know this generation is selling quite poorly compared to the last generation in the Japanese domestic market for this reason, so I doubt it will compete with Fiat 500 over here either.

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Sector 5 on Jan 09, 2014

Back in the 80's I drove rental Micra. The 3 speed slush couldn't top 65 on the highway. And boy that Micra moto was screaming!!!! CVT will help the new blighter.. 500 & Fiesta? Bet this Micra goes further for less.

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