Online reports have revealed that Nissan plans to remove the Note from its UK product line-up not long after the new Micra is introduced in March 2017.
The fifth-generation Nissan Micra made its public debut last month during the 2016 Paris Motor Show and brings in some major changes. Not only is the styling far more aggressive and bolder than its predecessor, it is also a longer and wider car with a more spacious cabin.
For many years, the Nissan Micra and the Nissan Note have been on sale alongside each other, with the smaller Micra covering what Nissan described as the B minus segment.
The current Note was launched back in 2013 and while its predecessors were marketed as mini-MPVs, this model was seen by Nissan as its direct challenger to the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.
'It would be inefficient to continue'
But since the new Micra is virtually the same size as the main supermini rivals, the Note’s place in the market had become less clear. Also, the Nissan Juke, which is only slightly larger than the Note, is still on the market and attracts far more sales. A next-generation Juke is planned for production next year too.
All of this leaves no place for the Note in Nissan’s long-term future. Indeed, Nissan GB’s Managing Director, Jim Wright, told Autocar: “Even though the last Micra was priced more as an A-segment car, it would be inefficient to continue with three models instead of two, so our B-segment offer is now the Micra and Juke.”
While the 2017 Micra is set to launch in Britain next March, the Note is not expected to disappear from Nissan’s line-up as soon as the new supermini arrives. While Nissan has not confirmed when exactly it will be axed, there’s speculation the Note will be phased out during next summer.