KUALA LUMPUR (May 22, 2007) - Nissan announced today that the Latio sedan and hatchback models will be available from June 22nd, 2007, offering class-leading interior comfort and roominess. The sedan model will be known as Latio, while the sportier hatchback model will be badged Latio Sport. The Latio sedan and hatchback will be offered in both 4 cylinder MR-series 1.8-liter and HR-series 1.6-liter engine.
The Latio will be built by Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), Nissan's manufacturing, sales and distribution partner in Malaysia. ETCM has invested RM230 million (USD 67.6million) to build a new assembly plant in Serendah for Latio and future new products in the pipeline. The ETCM plant adopts the Nissan Production Way (NPW) - Nissan's globalstandard for manufacturing - that ensures that the products built meet with Nissan's global quality standards.
The Latio series has been enjoying success globally where it is marketed as the Tiida in Japan and many of the general overseas market(GOM), and as Versa in the United States. In Europe, the model will go on sale from June 2007 as Tiida. The car has received several awards worldwide including Best Compact Car 2005 in Middle East and Car Of The Year 2006 in Inter-America.
Building the cars locally where it is sold offers cost advantages, particulary with a strong partner such as ETCM. Malaysia represents the seventh production plant for this model following Japan, China, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand and South Africa.
In CY2006, the sales of the series exceeded 270,000 units globally and remains one of the best selling models for Nissan.
Note: Amount in dollars are translated for the convenience of the reader only at the foreign exchange rate of 3.40 RM/dollar.
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