First deliveries of new B-segment Note start this week
Innovative new supermini sets fresh standards for accessible technology
NissanSafety Shield: premium sector technologies available to B-segment customers for the first time
Extensive specification: Around View Monitor, NissanConnect and Nissan Safety Shield all available
Built in Sunderland and priced from £11,900

Advanced, accessible technology and dynamic design have arrived in the B-segment with the first deliveries of the innovative new Nisan Note starting this week.

Note production is now in full flow at Nissan’s biggest European manufacturing plant in Sunderland, UK. With a full suite of advanced technologies normally found in the premium sector and a bold design accommodating a highly versatile cabin, the Note makes a highly compelling package for B-segment customers.

To date, Nissan has already taken more than 14,000 pre-orders for the new Note – an early indication that the new model is ready to exceed the expectations of a wide range of both new and existing Note drivers. Thanks to its dramatically enhanced design, technology and quality, the new model is expected to be one of Nissan’s best-sellers with sales anticipated to exceed more than 100,000 cars per year in Europe.

Geraldine Ingham, chief marketing manager for Nissan in Europe: “New Note fulfils a really important role in our new product portfolio, combining smart design with purposeful technology that has never been offered in the B-segment before. We’ve used design and engineering innovation to make premium technologies accessible to everyone.”

Nissan Safety Shield
The new Note is the first Nissan in Europe to feature Nissan Safety Shield.

Linking three advanced systems, Nissan Safety Shield acts as an intelligent co-pilot to the driver to help them make the best decisions in all situations. The system combines Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection to bring premium technology to the small car sector for the first time.

Genuine engineering innovation has made this possible, with Nissan able to run all Safety Shield functions from one single wide-angle rear camera. What’s more, to keep this camera operable in grimy conditions, Nissan has developed an intelligent automatic ‘wash and blow dry’ facility to keep the lens clean.

Also making its sector debut is Nissan’s acclaimed Around View Monitor, a feature that provides drivers with a remarkable 360-degree bird’s eye view to take the stress out of reversing.

Both AVM and Safety Shield are incorporated into the new Note’s enhanced NissanConnect satellite navigation, Bluetooth and audio system. Now benefiting from a larger 5.8-inch touch-screen display, the latest system includes Google® ‘Send to Car’ navigation software allowing routes planned at home to be transferred directly to the car. Additional connected services include Google® Points of Interest (POI), nearest fuel prices, plus flight and weather information.

Premium design, inside and out
Tailored specifically for the European market, the European-built Note combines a long wheelbase with short overhangs to create a sporty, agile design. The dynamic lines and shapes lend a premium feeling to both the exterior and interior, matched by exceptional quality standards.

The interior features high grade materials throughout, and is packed with innovations including an optional Karakuri luggage board that allows owners to divide or open up the load space according to their needs. Features such as rear doors which open to almost 90-degrees and a rear bench which slides by up to 150mm also set the Note apart from less versatile B-segment rivals.

Advanced, efficient engine range
Three engines are available from launch: a 1.2-litre 80PS three-cylinder petrol, a 98PS 1.2-litre supercharged DIG-S delivering only 99g/km – one of the best in class for B-segment petrol models – and a 1.5-litre 90PS dCi diesel delivering only 92g/km. A smooth and efficient CVT transmission is available on the 1.2-litre DIG-S engine.

Value-packed range with high equipment levels
The new Note range starts with the entry-level Visia features a comprehensive equipment list including Stop/Start, front electric windows, remote central locking and cruise control. Acenta models add alloy wheels (15-inch as standard, 16-inch on DIG-S), air-conditioning, Bluetooth and a sliding rear seat bench.

The range-topping Tekna model features NissanConnect, 16-inch alloy wheels, part-leather seats, Around View Monitor and Nissan Safety Shield as standard, along with Intelligent Key with start/stop button, leather steering wheel and automatic air conditioning.

The Tekna model is also available with an optional Dynamic Styling Pack comprising unique alloy wheels and deeper front and rear bumpers. All DIG-S models come with a unique suspension and steering set-up along with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Personalisation options
The dynamic new Note can be given an even more eye-catching look with eight accessory options – including two alloy wheel designs – available with eight different colours and finishes. This expanded Nissan’s personalisation programme will also be rolled out across the Juke and Micra.

Produced in Sunderland
New Note’s production officially started on September 16^th in Nissan’s factory in Sunderland, UK. The new Note heralds the beginning of Nissan’s busiest launch period in its history in Europe, supporting the company’s goal of becoming the number 1 Asian brand in Europe. With design, engineering and manufacturing operations all based within Europe, over 80% of the Nissan cars sold in Europe are made in Europe.

NISSAN LAUNCHES PRODUCTION OF THE NEW NISSAN NOTE FOR EUROPE

New Nissan Note goes into production at Sunderland Plant
£125m investment in the UK has created 2,000 automotive jobs
UK Business Minister to attend special ceremony on production line

Sunderland (September 16, 2013) Nissan is today celebrating the start of production of the new Nissan Note at its record-breaking Sunderland Plant.

Already the UK’s biggest ever car plant, the new Note is set to boost production even further in Sunderland following a £125m investment by Nissan, secured for the UK with a £9.3m grant from the UK Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

The official start of production is being marked at a ceremony on Line 2 at Sunderland Plant by John Martin, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management in Europe, with the UK’s Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Michael Fallon, in attendance.

The new Note’s design and technology has already caught the attention of customers, with Nissan dealers across Europe taking more than 14,000 pre-orders since the order books opened in July.

SVP Martin said: “The new Nissan Note is giving mainstream B-segment customers an unprecedented combination of design, technology and safety features which up to now have only been available in premium brands.

“This investment is further endorsement of our Sunderland Plant, which is now an international benchmark for productivity and quality as a result of the hard work and consistently high performance by the management and workforce.

“I would like to congratulate all of my colleagues at the plant and in our supply base on the launch of this new model, and once again thank the UK Government for their ongoing support for the automotive industry.”

In addition to vehicle assembly, the new Note has brought additional work to Nissan Sunderland Plant and its supply chain in axle production, cylinder head casting, camshaft machining and engine assembly.

In total, the upgraded Nissan Note is responsible for 2,000 new jobs in the UK automotive industry, including 400 staff at Nissan’s workforce at Sunderland, taking the number of British jobs supported by Nissan to more than 35,000.

Business Minister Michael Fallon said: “The investment by Nissan to make the Note at the world class Sunderland plant has been achieved by Government and industry working together. It provides a very welcome boost to their exceptional workforce, the North East economy and the country.

“Working in partnership with industry, our automotive industrial strategy sets out how we will secure the long term future of the sector as a UK success story by growing our share of the value chain and by getting ahead of the game in research and development on the vehicles of tomorrow.”

Designed to perfectly meet the demands of today’s B segment customer, the new Nissan Note has benefited from extensive European development, tailored for European buyers. With engineering and development work for the new Note completed at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in both the UK and Spain, the new Note has been designed to perfectly meet the demands of today’s small car customer.

The new Note also continues the Nissan tradition of bringing bold design and exciting new technologies to a new area of the market. Customers will benefit from a raft of innovative features relevant and useful in day to day driving.

The new Note heralds the beginning of Nissan’s busiest launch period in its history in Europe, supporting the company’s goal of becoming the number 1 Asian brand in Europe. With design, engineering and manufacturing operations all based within Europe, over 80% of the Nissan cars sold in Europe are made in Europe.

Nissan is continuing to recruit for a range of positions, with all jobs and further information available at the website www.careersatnissan.co.uk

About Nissan in the UK

Nissan Sunderland Plant produces the Nissan Qashqai, Note and Juke and the 100% electric Nissan LEAF
Production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles began last year, 2012
Total plant volume since 1986 stands at more than seven million units with 85 per cent of production exported to 104 markets worldwide
Total investment made and announced since then is £3.5 billion
510,572 units were produced at Sunderland plant in 2012, a plant record
Sunderland Plant currently employs 6,000 people
Nissan’s European Design Centre is located in Paddington, London and employs around 50 people
Nissan’s European Technical Centre is based in Cranfield, Bedfordshire and employs around 500 people

About Nissan in Europe

Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 695,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.