Nissan is to keep the current Rogue crossover – unique to NAFTA markets – on sale in the US “for the immediate future” after the redesigned model launched – as the X-Trail – at Frankfurt makes its North American debut.
The current Rogue is built – in Japan – on the same platform as the European/Asian markets Qashqai/Dualis which is made in England, Japan and China. The redesigned Rogue for North America – launched on 10 September – is an all but identical variant of the new X-Trail which will be sold in other global markets.
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Nissan USA will rebrand the ‘old’ Rogue as the Rogue Select, pricing it from under US$20,000 (the current version starts at $20,310)
“The strategy behind this move is to satisfy demand for the popular compact sports utility vehicle, currently second-highest seller in Nissan’s lineup, as well as provide customers an additional choice in the segment,” Nissan USA said.
Nissan sold 142,349 units in the US in 2012 while 2013 volume was up 16% year on year to 103,316 to the end of August.
“As the compact SUV segment is becoming very specialised, there is an opening for a low cost, high content offering, which is a gap that Rogue Select will fill,” said sales and marketing head Fred Diaz. “Rogue Select will allow Nissan to continue its strong performance in the segment which will only get stronger once the all new, US-built 2014 Rogue goes on sale.”
The new Rogue will be assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, while the current generation vehicle is built in Kyushu, Japan where the Rogue Select will also be assembled.
Nissan will announce revised equipment levels and pricing later.
