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Nissan NV200 puts on a Bowtie as new Chevy City Express

Your eyes do not deceive you - that is, in fact, a Nissan NV200 work van with Chevrolet badging. General Motors and Nissan today announced a partnership where the Japanese automaker will build Bowtie-badged vans for Chevy dealers to sell throughout the United States and Canada. The new van, called the City Express, is expected to go on sale in the fall of 2014.
"Our fleet customers have asked us for an entry in the commercial small van segment, so this addition to the Chevrolet portfolio will strengthen our position with fleets and our commercial customers," Ed Peper, US vice president of GM fleet and commercial sales, said in a press release.
No details have been released regarding specific changes for the new City Express, though from the images released today, it's clear that the vehicle's front fascia has been reworked, and some super-sexy new wheel covers have been added. If we're honest, the NV200 wasn't all that pretty to begin with, and this, well, isn't any better. Not that looks are of primary concern in the commercial truck business, of course.

Now Mitsubishi Motors has ousted Carlos Ghosn, days after Nissan firing

TOKYO — Mitsubishi Motors said on Monday its board removed Carlos Ghosn from his role as chairman, following his arrest and ouster from alliance partner Nissan last week for alleged financial misconduct. Ghosn's sacking in a unanimous board vote marks the end of his chairmanship of Japanese automakers, just two years after he was praised for bringing a steadying hand to Mitsubishi Motors following a cheating scandal in 2016. CEO Osamu Masuko will become temporary chairman, the automaker said. "Ghosn has lost the confidence of Nissan" and it is "difficult for him to fulfill his duties," spurring the dismissal, Mitsubishi Motors said in a statement. Nissan holds a controlling 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors and has two executives on the board. The move comes amid discontent over French partner Renault SA's role in the 19-year Franco-Japanese alliance of which Ghosn was the driving force. Sealed in 1999 when Nissan was rescued from near-bankruptcy, it was enlarged in 2016 to include Mitsubishi and enabled the members to jointly develop products and control costs. The alliance vies with Volkswagen AG and Toyota for the ranking of the world's biggest automaker. Even as Nissan has recovered and grown rapidly, it remains a junior partner in the shareholding structure. Renault owns 43 percent of Nissan and the Japanese automaker holds a 15 percent non-voting stake in the French firm. And Nissan is almost 60 percent bigger than Renault by sales. Top alliance executives are meeting this week in Amsterdam, aiming to shield their joint operations from the fallout of Ghosn's arrest as a power struggle between Nissan and Renault looms. Renault has refrained from firing him as chairman and CEO. Mitsubishi Motors already had plans to discuss its position in the alliance with Ghosn and, following the ouster, it needs to consider focusing on regions and technology where it can retain competitiveness, CEO Masuko told reporters after the board meeting. Cooperation among alliance members is needed amid the rise of new technology like automated and internet-connected vehicles, he said. Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa told staff on Monday that power was too concentrated with Ghosn and that in future better communication between alliance board members and executives would help preserve independence and generate synergies among the automakers, a Nissan spokesman said.

Nissan introduces new Lannia sedan in China [w/videos]

Take a good look at the vehicle you see here, because you may never see it again. That's because it was designed specifically for the Chinese market and is not likely to ever be exported far beyond its borders. It's called the Nissan Lannia, and it's the production version of the Friend-Me concept showcased two years ago in Shanghai and the Lannia concept unveiled in Beijing last year. It's a sedan targeted specifically at trendsetting Chinese buyers in their 20s and 30s, designed and developed locally by Nissan Design China and unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show. The styling bears many hallmarks of the Japanese automaker's latest design language, particularly up front with its V-shaped grille treatment and sharply shaped headlights. The C-pillar looks signature Nissan as well, but leads to what looks like rather ungainly rear proportions somewhat disguised by dynamic styling elements. Details remain few and far between, but you can bet it packs a small engine driving the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Introducing the All-New Nissan Lannia April 20 – Shanghai – Nissan unveiled the all-new Lannia at Auto Shanghai 2015 on Monday, a culmination of vision taking the car from concept to reality. Two years ago in Shanghai, Nissan introduced the Friend-Me Concept, followed by the Lannia Concept in 2014 at the Beijing Motor Show, and Lannia is the tangible expression of the company's commitment to China. Building on Nissan's longstanding success in the sedan market, it's the first product developed and designed for young Chinese generations, especially those in their 20s and 30s, seen as the nation's trendsetters. "Edging forward is not enough. The market in China is moving very fast, especially with the post-1980s generation," says Titus Liu, Creative Design Manager at Nissan Design China. "They do not want to stick with the status quo, so we are dedicated to finding the next great breakthrough. This is important for us." Design and development was led by Nissan Design China, backed by the Nissan Global Design Center. Lannia's styling speaks to rising Chinese who want to set themselves apart as both edgy and sophisticated, resulting in a stylish new look for a sedan that goes against conventions.