Despite a sluggish US auto market in the first half of 2024, Asian carmakers proved to be a force to be reckoned with. While sales growth remained slow at a mere 0.1% compared to last year, Asian auto giants like Toyota and Honda defied the trend.
Toyota saw a significant year-to-date sales surge of 14.3%, reaching nearly 1.2 million delivered vehicles. Honda followed closely behind, boasting a healthy 9.3% increase that brought their sales to over 690,000 units.
The Nissan Group also secured a sizable market share with close to 490,000 vehicles sold. However, a deeper dive reveals a contrasting performance within the Nissan Group itself.
The core Nissan brand performed well, experiencing a 3% rise to over 461,000 units. Conversely, Infiniti sales took a sharp 13.2% dive, landing at around 28,000 units. This disparity in sales performance might explain the recent influx of new model announcements from both Nissan and Infiniti.
The 2025 Kicks from Nissan and the QX80 from Infiniti represent strategic efforts to target different market segments and potentially reverse their recent sales trends. Additionally, Nissan’s “The Arc” business plan, announced in March, highlights its commitment to the US market with upcoming debuts beyond the Kicks.
The all-new Murano and the Armada, also known as the Patrol internationally, are expected to bolster their product portfolio and potentially reignite consumer interest in the Nissan brand.
This revelation comes hot on the heels of the recent launches of the Infiniti QX60 and the mechanically related Nissan Pathfinder. The Murano redesign has generated significant buzz, with car aficionados eager to see the final product.
Leaked shots hint at a design that follows Nissan’s contemporary aesthetic, and digital car channels are having a blast envisioning the finished vehicle. While specifics remain under wraps, here’s what we can piece together so far about the revamped Murano.
