Japanese market demand for continuously variable transmissions is projected to reach 1.2 million units per year within five years, a report on WardsAuto.com said.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
That would be the equivalent of about a quarter of the number of front-wheel-drive cars sold annually in Japan, the website added.
WardsAuto.com said that sales of CVT-equipped vehicles exceeded 500,000 last year with over half in the mini and subcompact vehicle segments with engine displacements ranging from 660cc (Japan’s Kei-car class norm) to 1.5 litres.
With Nissan in the lead, the industry is primed to move steadily into the two-litre and above segments, WardsAuto.com said.
Nissan has already begun to introduce CVT-equipped cars outside Japan. Its recently redesigned UK-built Primera range sold in Europe includes two-litre petrol models with CVT transmission.
