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Nissan recalls Rogue, Pathfinder, Infiniti QX60 for seat issue

Nissan and Infiniti are recalling their 2023 Rogue, Pathfinder and QX60 SUVs and CUVs to address a potential defect in their seat frame welds that can allow the frames to fail in the event of a collision. The number of vehicles that potentially shipped with weak welds is rather small — just over 12,000 — but the issue could nonetheless lead to injury if a failure occurs during a collision.  "The driverÂ’s powered seat may not be fully secured to the seat frame on certain Nissan Rogue, Pathfinder, and INFINTI QX60 vehicles," Nissan's report to NHTSA said. "As a result of this issue, the seat frame welds may detach from the rear inboard seat bracket. If this condition occurs, it may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of a crash. In addition, the seat frame assembly may not meet certain FMVSS 207 and FMVSS 210 requirements because of this condition," Nissan said.  Nissan says there's no easy way for customers to detect the issue ahead of time, and that its seats need to be inspected by a service tech to see whether it is properly secured. Dealers will be instructed to check the driverÂ’s seat rail clearance to the inboard seat bracket, and if necessary, the dealer will remove and replace the affected driverÂ’s seat cushion frame, NIssan said. The entire procedure should take less than two hours.  Owners of affected vehicles should look for notices to be delivered no later than June.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Recalls Infiniti Nissan Crossover SUV Luxury

Japanese automakers ramping production for renewed American sales

The 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan took quite the toll on the automotive industry in that nation. Not content to lean on that tragedy as excuse for slagging sales, the Japanese automakers are planning on a major production expansion in North America. The aim is to reclaim the market share lost from the Tsunami-based dip, and overcome a dollar/yen exchange rate that makes exporting to America unprofitable.
Following the Tsunami, Japanese automakers ramped up production in their North American facilities to compensate, but according to Automotive News, Nissan, Honda and others have all reported plans for still-further increased production in the year ahead. As part of this ramp-up, Mazda will open a facility in Salamnca, Mexico before March of 2014. Part of that increase in output is 50,000 units of a Toyota-badged compact car, which Mazda will produce.
Other Mexican production facilities opening include a Honda plant, which will open in Spring 2014 in Celaya, and a Nissan plant, set to open later this year in Aguascalientes. Nissan also said that it will need another plant in North America within the next five years. According to Nissan Boss Carlos Ghosn, the company aims to raise its stake in the US market from 8 percent to 10, and adding production will help achieve that goal. Even Mitsubishi is aiming to boost production at its Normal, Illinois plant. Production of the Outlander Sport is currently at 50,000, which Mitsubishi wants to raise to 70,000.

Nissan bringing 'New Sedan Concept' to Beijing Motor Show

During the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, Nissan showed off its Sport Sedan Concept (pictured above), an orange creation meant to foreshadow the next generation of the brand's "Four-Door Sports Car," the Maxima. For the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, though, Nissan is going to deliver a Chinese take on a future four-door, with the New Sedan Concept (imaginative name, we know).
Like the Nissan Friend-Me Concept from the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, the NSC has been designed by Nissan Design China in Beijing. Outside of that, information is in short supply. Nissan claims this latest concept is targeted at the Chinese digital lifestyle. Whether it serves as an evolution of the Friend-Me's swoopy design or a regional take on Nissan's Detroit concept, though, remains to be seen.
We'll have the full slate of info on the Nissan New Sedan Concept, along with everything else that happens at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, when the floor opens on April 23. Take a look below for the official press release from Nissan, which also includes a recap of previously debuted models that will be shown at Beijing.