Lexus HS 2nd generation 2019/20

 

The pictures above may preview as second generation of Lexus CT as subcompact luxury hatchback to fight against Mercedes-Benz A-class, expected to be launched in 2019 or 2020.

 

 

For sedan variant, Lexus did have HS, but discontinued in 2017 due to poor sales, but I believe Lexus may continue to launch HS successor in short time, but Lexus HS can go smaller than 1st generation to avoid "cannibalizing" Lexus IS which served as compact executive sedan. According to some news, next generation of Lexus HS is expected to be launched around 2019 or 2020. Based on an article statement by Lexus executive advisor on February 2018, since Toyota North America's Lexus division executive advisor, Jeff Bracken stated that Lexus won't build entry-level vehicles to target downmarket and compete with Mercedes, I may believe next generation of Lexus HS and CT will not be available in North America. (http://www.autospies.com/news/Lexus-Refuses-To-Go-Further-Downmarket-To-Compete-With-Mercedes-96655/)

For second generation of Lexus HS, it is expected to be based on Toyota GA-C platform (aka TNGA-C) which shares with Toyota Corolla 2019, Toyota Auris 2019 E210, Lexus UX AA10 and Toyota C-HR. In the future, next generation of Lexus CT will be based on GA-C platform too. In addition, for engine options, I believe Lexus HS second generation will use Toyota Corolla 2019 engine with hybrid variant.

==Predicted basic technical specification of Lexus HS 2nd generation==

* Engine variant: 2ZR-FAE L4 (1800cc petrol), 2ZR-FXE L4 (1800cc hybrid), M20A-FKS L4 (2000cc petrol), M20A-FXS L4 (2000cc hybrid), 8AR-FTS L4 (2000cc turbo)

* Transmission: CVT or 6-speed manual (for performance F Sport variant)

* Platform: TNGA-C

==Predicted 2nd generation of Lexus HS series specification==

* HS180

* HS180h

* HS200

* HS200h

* HS200t

In Japan, 2nd generation Lexus HS can be available without having sister car Toyota Sai which already merged to Camry segment, meanwhile it can be available in Malaysia also, price is cheaper than Lexus IS and ES, estimated between RM160k-RM255k, depends on the powertrain variant. 

==Future position of Lexus sedan and hatchback==

* Flagship (full-size): LS (rival of Mercedes Benz S-class)

* Mid-size executive luxury RWD sedan: GS (rival of Mercedes Benz CLS, BMW 6 series 4 door coupe and Audi A7)

* Mid-size executive FWD sedan: ES (rival of Audi A6, BMW 5 series, Mercedes Benz E class)

* Compact executive sedan: IS (rival of Audi A4, BMW 3 series, Merceds-Benz C-class)

* Subcompact executive sedan: HS 2nd gen. (rival of BMW Audi A3 sedan, Mercedes CLA and BMW 1 series sedan)

*Subcompact executive hatchback: CT 2nd gen

 

CT>>HS>>IS>>ES>>GS>>LS

Lexus downmarket vehicles. UX is just present, CT is present too, where is sedan?

Lexus is a luxury division of Toyota Motor Corporation, L-series such as LS for sedan, LX for SUV and LC for coupe are flagship lineup by Lexus.

After Lexus launched all its flagship vehicles, Lexus went to mid-size vehicles and compact vehicles, such as:

Executive and mid-size luxury: GS and ES for sedan, RX and GX for SUVs
Compact executive: IS for sedan, NX for SUVs

This year, Lexus launches its smallest SUV to target downmarket consumer, that is UX subcompact crossover SUV to compete against Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3.

 

Within 2018, there is news reporting that Lexus refuses to make downmarket vehicles (Source: https://carbuzz.com/news/lexus-won-t-build-a-sub-30-000-entry-model-to-compete-with-mercedes) to compete with those entry-level vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. In my opinion, if Lexus makes subcompact executive vehicles to target downmarket, actually this can help Lexus to boost the sales for the brand.

For SUV, we have Lexus UX which already represent entry-level luxury crossover SUV, slotted below NX, this car will be launched in Malaysia around Q2 or Q3 2019, price can be more attractive when reach in Malaysia. Meanwhile Lexus does have entry-level vehicles in hatchback form, it is CT to compete Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 1 series hatchback, Volvo V40 and Audi A3.

How about sedan? Actually Lexus was used to have entry-level subcompact executive sedan which based on Toyota New MC platform, also rebadged of Toyota Sai, it was Lexus HS250h. Lexus HS250h (code: ANF10) was launched in 2009, but discontinued in 2017. It was slotted below than Lexus IS. This vehicle is not available in Europe and most of Asia countries, including Malaysia.

Since Lexus HS was discontinued in 2017, meanwhile its sister car Toyota Sai was discontinued together, but Toyota Sai was integrated into Toyota Camry XV70 with Toyota Mark X and Avensis. Therefore, in order to continue to attract downmarket buyers to buy entry-level Lexus vehicles, I hope Lexus will reallocate HS (Harmonious Sedan) position by launching second generation of HS as subcompact luxury sedan to compete with Audi A3 Sedan, Volvo S50, BMW 1 series sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Nissan reused chassis code from "5" for brand new car, not continuation? Why?

Nissan chassis code system normally is 1st alphabet and rest of two are numbers.

Example: XYZ

X is alphabet, Y is the car type, Z is the generation.

In the 1970s, every time Nissan changed new generation of the vehicles, Nissan used the chassis code by add 100 as newer generation, but until late 1970s. Example: Nissan Sunny

B10>B110>B210>B310 

While adding 100 for each generation, but +1 was used for emission or updates (facelift). Example: Nissan Urvan.

First generation: E20, but it had E21 and E22 as facelift with improvement of E20. So, second generation was E23.

Now, Nissan reused certain chassis code for its new cars, began from generation "5". Nissan Kicks is an example, using Nissan Primera P-chassis code, P15. Why is P15 on Kicks, not P13 as Primera was only until P12? Actually there is some reasons why Nissan does not use P13 for Kicks, instead P15.

Nissan Primera was European D-segment sedan, produced from 1990 till 2008, carried over three generation, P10, P11 and P12, meanwhile Kicks is B-segment subcompact crossover SUV. If Nissan allocates Kicks as P13, consumers will be confused that Nissan Kicks is succeeded by Primera in terms of chassis code, although they are completely different vehicle segment.

P12: Nissan Primera sedan
P15: Nissan Kicks SUV
<P13, P14 become a gap>

While using recycled chassis code for new models, begins from "5", Nissan actually keeps distance away from their old discontinued models chassis code range. So, P13 and P14 become a gap actually. Other than Kicks, and Primera, here are some examples.

S30/31: Nissan Fairlady Z (Roadster)
S35: Nissan Rouge SUV
<S32, S33, S34 become a gap>

F10/11: Datsun 100A/Cherry (A-segment supermini)
F15: Nissan Juke (B-segment SUV)
<F12, F13, F14 become a gap>

Nissan Lafesta is another different case, its first generation was B30, then second generation (based on Mazda 5) was B35.

In the future, for smaller cars range, Nissan may use these reused chassis code, starts from "15", such as:

- A15 (formerly was Stanza A10/11 where discontinued in 1981)
- C15 (unknown yet. Although Nissan Pulsar C13 was just discontinued in Europe 2 days ago, but Tiida C12 is still on sale in selected Asia countries, it is still unknown that Nissan will launch C14 to replace Tiida and Pulsar hatchback as conventional C-segment hatchback is denied)
- M15 (formerly was Prairie/Liberty M12 where discontinued in 2005)
- R15 (formerly was Presea R11 where discontinued in 2000 under Nissan Revival Plan)
- T15 (formerly was Stanza T12 where discontinued in 1990)
- W15 (formerly was Avenir W11 where discontinued in 2006)
- Z15 (unknown yet. Although Nissan Cube was discontinued for export markets in 2016/17, but it is still on sale in Japan, no replacement for Cube Z12 is announced, Nissan may discontinue Cube in the future)

If the Nissan code generation was only goes up to "0", Nissan can start from "1" for their new vehicles. Example:

C10: Nissan Skyline (compact sports sedan)
C11: Nissan Versa/Tiida/Latio (subcompact sports sedan)

E10: Nissan Cherry (A-segment supermini)
E11: Nissan Note (B-segment mini MPV)

J30: Nissan Maxima (D-segment sedan)
J31: Nissan Teana (D-segment sedan)

A30: Nissan Prince Gloria (executive sedan)  
A31: Nissan Cefiro (D-segment sedan)

- So, Nissan can use V11 for future model?

V10: Nissan Tino (MPV)
V11: future models?

Datsun low cost car, is it neccessary to be launched in Malaysia?

Before Datsun is resurrected in 2014 as low cost vehicles, Nissan A-segment is filled by March/Micra internationally, also with those kei cars like Moco, Dayz, Otti etc in Japan.

After Nissan March/Micra is upgraded as B-segment hatchback when comes to K14 generation and debuted in Europe last year, so Nissan A-segment is withdrawn from its lineup and taken over by Datsun.

Datsun is resurrected in 2014 as low cost cheap car, it targets emerging markets, BUT currently Datsun vehicles are only sold in Russia, India, Indonesia and South Africa, even Japan home market never receives Datsun.

Back to December 2013, according to Maybank research report, Tan Chong was reported to launch Nissan A-segment vehicle in 2015 (https://paultan.org/2013/11/26/tan-chong-launch-nissan-note-end-2014-new-segment-car-2015/), I guessed Tan Chong would launch either Nissan March K13 or Datsun Go in Malaysia, but both of them were off-cards from ETCM list.

As our neighboring country Indonesia is selling Datsun low cost vehicles, is there necessary to launch Datsun in Malaysia?

My answer is strictly NO! Datsun low cost vehicles don't meet Malaysia traffic safety requirement actually. In addition, I don't think Datsun vehicle line-up will fit to the taste of Malaysia car buyers as Malaysians go for "progressive-looked" vehicles, rather than "conservative", or "lousy" looked vehicles.

The A-segment Datsun Go got zero stars NCAP crash test in South Africa, meanwhile two stars crash test under Asean NCAP in Indonesia. Later on, Datsun Go got two starts South Africa NCAP crash test in 2017. In my opinion, Datsun low cost vehicles are worse than Perodua actually.

==ASEAN NCAP crash test between Datsun and Perodua== 

* Datsun Go (including Go+, Cross) = 2 stars

* Perodua Axia = 4 stars

* Perodua Myvi 2018 = 5 stars

* Perodua Bezza = 5 stars

* Perodua Alza = 4 stars

Due to low demand of Datsun low cost vehicles' buyers in Malaysia, also fail to meet Malaysia traffic safety requirements and regulations, I think it is not a need to launch Datsun vehicles by Edaran Tan Chong Motor.

2018 Nissan Leaf vs. 1987 Nissan Stanza Hatchback T12, which one is bigger or same size?

Nissan Leaf 2018

Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback

Nissan Leaf 2018 vs. Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback, which one is bigger or both of them are same? Let's analyzed.

For the class position, Nissan Stanza hatchback, Nissan Pulsar and Leaf are classified as C-segment. 

Nissan Pulsar C13

Nissan Leaf ZE1

Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback

In terms of size dimensions, 1987 Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback is larger than Nissan Leaf ZE1. Actually Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback size is far away bigger than Nissan Pulsar C13 due to its position is higher than Pulsar, but below the Bluebird. Nissan Stanza T12 is actually based on Nissan Bluebird U11 platform, where U11 and T12 have similar exterior design, but T12 was not widely exported. In the 1980s, Stanza is positioned between Pulsar and Bluebird in terms of size and dimensions. [Stanza was succeeded by Nissan Primera, then later Sylphy takes over Primera in 2005]

The all new generation of Nissan Leaf ZE1 2018 is a little bit larger than conventional Nissan Pulsar C13, but less dimension than Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback. Due to Nissan Pulsar is denied by Europe consumers and discontinued production on 12 September 2018 officially, besides Europeans prefer owning SUV, they're also preferring larger hatchback, but electric-powered vehicle. Although Nissan Leaf and Nissan Pulsar are under same segment (just different powered sources; Leaf is fully electric, then Pulsar is conventional petrol/diesel), but Leaf sells perfectly.

Larger than Pulsar C13, but smaller than Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback 1987, so if I compare these models, Stanza T12 is far away larger than Leaf. So, in term of the size, Nissan Leaf ZE1 is positioned between Nissan Pulsar C13 and Nissan Stanza T12 Hatchback 1987.

But, Nissan Leaf ZE1 has same size with 1995 Nissan Pulsar/Almera N15 where is heavily related to Nissan Sentra B14.

Leaf

 

 

   

Nissan Pulsar/Almera N15

==Final conclusion of size dimensions between Nissan Leaf vs. Stanza T12 hatchback/Nissan Pulsar (N15 and C13)==

1. Nissan Leaf ZE1=Nissan Pulsar N15 

2. Nissan Leaf ZE1<<Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback 

3. Nissan Pulsar C13<<Nissan Leaf ZE1

Nissan Pulsar C13<<Nissan Leaf ZE1<<Nissan Stanza T12 hatchback.

 

Nissan Leaf vs. Nissan Pulsar C13, which is better to go on sale in Malaysia?

Nissan Leaf and Nissan Pulsar are C-segment hatchback, but the difference is Leaf is electrical-powered vehicle, meanwhile Pulsar is conventional petrol-powered car.

First generation Nissan Leaf ZE0 (Photo courtesy of: paultan.org)

Nissan Leaf was launched with first generation (ZE0) since 2010, it was going on sale in most of the world. Leaf got moderate to successful sales in most of the world such as Japan, USA, Canada, Europe and Oceania. In Malaysia, Nissan Malaysia dealer, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) was used to launch Leaf ZE0 in Malaysia around Q4 2013, priced at RM170k during that time. This car was appeared at KLIMS 2013, but poorer sales here due to higher price. Electric vehicle was still not mature yet in Malaysia during the time because electric vehicle charging station infrastructure was not ready yet.

But... Malaysia electric vehicle charging station infrastructure is ready actually now as Petronas had built up more EV charging station at its selected outlets. Now Petronas had 55 charging stations for electric vehicle.

Due to Petronas had already built up 55 EV charging stations in Malaysia, so electric vehicles market is ready and mature in Malaysia.

Nissan Leaf comes to 2nd generation, it is debuted this year. Codenamed ZE1 Leaf is going on sale this year in Japan, China, North America, Europe, this car will be going on sale shortly in South East Asia (including Malaysia), Oceania within 2018-19. According to the report of Kenanga research, Tan Chong Motor also confirmed that Nissan Leaf will be launched in Malaysia likely Q4 2018.

I'm going to talk about Nissan Pulsar versus Nissan Leaf market condition in Malaysia.

Nissan Pulsar C13 for Europe, but discontinued on September 2018 (Singapore was the first South East Asia country to launch EU-spec Pulsar in 2017)

Regarding Nissan Pulsar, now it comes with C13 generation where is mainly for Europe, alongside with conventional looks C12 where is only available in selected Asia territories. Among C12 and C13, Nissan Pulsar is considered failure vehicle in most of the countries such as Europe, Russia, and Oceania due to poor sales. I receive a news today actually, the report states that Nissan Pulsar C13 is officially discontinued in Europe due to production, Nissan Leaf becomes the hatchback model only in Nissan Europe line-up. 

Nice and hot hatchback, but poor sales. That's Nissan Pulsar. After the discontinuation, I don't think Nissan will launch C14 hatchback for Nissan Pulsar replacement in the future as conventional hatchback is denied by today's consumers who highly prefer SUV and hybrid cars nowadays.

Nissan Pulsar C13 discontinuation in Europe, already proofs that this car is denied by Europe consumers because Europeans highly prefer SUV, crossover nowadays, even electric vehicle like Leaf. Although Nissan Pulsar faces poor sales and demand in Europe, but Leaf is very popular in Europe, even the sales of Nissan Leaf is double of Pulsar in UK.

Insight of Nissan Leaf vs. Pulsar sales (Source: https://insideevs.com/nissan-leaf-outsells-pulsar-ice-in-uk-by-2-to-1/)

Coming to South East Asia market, Singapore was used to sell Nissan Pulsar C13 in 2017 for a year by Tan Chong International Pte. Ltd, but this car was withdrawn. While this model briefly says that it is strictly for Europe only, but Singapore was the first ever South East Asia country to launch Nissan Pulsar C13 where was fully imported from Spain.

Nissan Pulsar (regardless C12 and C13) is not on sale in Japan, but smaller Nissan Note is very popular there.

Meanwhile Thailand and Brunei are still selling Nissan Pulsar C12, but Oceania countries such as Australia and New Zealand already discontinued Nissan Pulsar sedan and hatchback since 2017. In Malaysia, we don't get Nissan Pulsar C12 or C13 here as I predict that Malaysia consumers hate hatchback, actually Malaysia consumers are more conservative in terms of buying cars, Malaysians prefer sedan, MPV and SUV where can carry more passengers and provide wider space to put things.

Nissan Pulsar or Nissan Leaf? Which is more suitable to fill Nissan C-segment lineup in Malaysia? 

Second generation Nissan Leaf ZE1

My answer will be Nissan Leaf. This is because Nissan Leaf is electric vehicle, if Nissan Tan Chong locally assembles this car here while EV assembly plant is ready, so Nissan Leaf can get tax exemption like Nissan Serena S-Hybrid as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are not taxed with excise duty like CBU conventional cars. The second generation of Nissan Leaf is wider and larger than Nissan Pulsar C13 actually, while electric vehicle charging station infrastructure is ready in Malaysia, I believe Malaysia consumers will prefer buying Leaf as it has nicer design looks. Inversely, if ETCM launches Nissan Pulsar C13 regardless CBU from Spain, or CKD local assembly, the price will be higher and no tax exemption is applied to this car.

If Nissan Pulsar C13 is launched in Malaysia by Tan Chong, I believe the price range will be around RM140k till RM170k, depends on the specifications and where's the car assembled at, so as a consumer, I could prefer buying X-Trail at this price, even go for other models such as Toyota Camry, Peugeot 508, Mazda 6. Not worth to buy Teana price for a Mazda 3 hatchback size car (Nissan Pulsar).

In conclusion, it is more suitable that ETCM launches Nissan Leaf than Nissan Pulsar.

Nissan Pulsar/Tiida C12 (currently on sale in Thailand, Brunei and Taiwan, but withdrawn in Australia and New Zealand in 2017)

ETCM shall consider to launch Nissan Note e-Power in Malaysia. Agree?

Nissan Note is a B-segment supermini, also known as mini MPV, where are popular in Europe and Japan, the first generation inspired Livina actually. Now, it is second generation with codename E12.  This car is sold in Japan, Hong Kong , Singapore and Europe (replaced by Micra since 2017). In America, it is known as Versa Note. Oceania including Australia and New Zealand don't get Nissan Note.

In Malaysia, Nissan Note was used to be exhibited at Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show in 2013 as exploratory model by ETCM (Edaran Tan Chong Motor; Nissan Malaysia official distributor), even there was a headline to report that ETCM will launch Nissan Note in Malaysia somewhere end of 2014 or Q1 2015. In addition, according to Paul Tan's Automotive News, there was also having spyshots of Nissan Note where get caught on Malaysia roads, but unfortunately, the launching of Nissan Note was not happened in Malaysia.

In the past, I highly expected Nissan Note could replace ageing Livina X-Gear in Malaysia. Unfortunately, it did not work, even I also expected there was long-wheelbase Note E12 to replace Grand Livina too.

While Note is already discontinued in Europe now and replaced by newly-launched Nissan Micra K14 (aka March), but recently Nissan Note E12 becomes "hot-cakes" in Japan because of e-Power hybrid technology without plug-in EV charger.

Now Nissan Note is focusing Asia markets with facelift version since 2016, the Asia market coverage of Nissan Note is expanded to Thailand, India, and Singapore. Before the facelift, Nissan Note E12 Asia coverage is Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore only, now it is expanded widely. While our neighboring countries Singapore and Thailand receive Nissan Note without e-Power technology, but why doesn't Malaysia have this fantastic car?

At KLIMS 2013, Nissan Note was exhibited, but it received 1500 cc HR15DE engine where same as its siblings Almera, but I believed Nissan Note was not launched here due to higher price if powered 1500cc engine, even Toyota Yaris did not work well here.

Now, Nissan Note is added with e-Power hybrid technology since November 2016. According to the performance database of e-Power, it has better fuel consumption and power output than an ordinary NA engine (2000cc). e-Power is an unique hybrid from Nissan actually, it is better than conventional hybrid due to higher output motor.

India and Indonesia are testing Nissan Note e-Power, expected to be on sale around 2018 or 2019, following by Singapore, and Thailand. It is unknown to tell that Nissan Australia and New Zealand will bring Note e-Hybrid or not after they withdrew all sedans and hatchbacks from their line-up in 2017.

I found that ETCM had withdrawn a lot of Nissan models from its lineup in Malaysia such as Sylphy, Teana, X-Gear due to poor sales from 2016 till now, leaves Almera, X-Trail, Serena, Grand Livina and Navara as their current line-up. Nissan had weak sales in Malaysia during 2015, 2016, 2017 and first quarter of 2018. In 2018, there is a news to report that Nissan would launch 3 new models in Malaysia, mainly Serena, Kicks and 2nd generation Leaf, but Nissan Serana S-Hybrid launched first around May 2018. According to Paul Tan's Automotive News, the news reported that ETCM is planning to bring Nissan e-Power in to Malaysia, so I do hope Note e-Power will be added in Nissan Malaysia lineup. Other than Note, Nissan Serena C27 can be featured with e-Power here in the future. In order to boost back the sales of Nissan in Malaysia, ETCM shall launch Nissan Note e-Power in Malaysia, so this can attract young buyers.

While Nissan Almera is heavily aged and no new generation is debuted yet, ETCM shall consider to launch Note in Malaysia to boost the sales of Nissan B-segment vehicles.

Malaysia actually can have Nissan Note e-Power. If ETCM launches CKD local assembly Note e-Power in Malaysia, ETCM can get tax exemption from government due to hybrid vehicle, even Nissan Note e-Power can be recognized as EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle) by Malaysia government. This can end monopoly of Honda Jazz Hybrid in Malaysia, also can compete with Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2 and upcoming Toyota Yaris.

Nissan Note e-Power is powered by HR12DE engine with EM57 electric motor.