Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors have announced the names and revealed the exteriors of new compact cars developed jointly for the Japanese market (JDM - Japanese Domestic Market). The product planning was carried out by NMKV Co., Ltd., a joint venture company formed by Mitsubishi and Nissan.
The minicars will be available on the market from June this year under the names Nissan DAYZ (as in Days) and DAYZ Highway STAR, and the Mitsubishi eK Wagon and eK Custom. The variation comes by using different bumper, grille, color and wheels. The DAYZ follows the same design language used on the new Note/Versa Note and the Mitsubishi's carry a familiar design language seen on recent launches.
NMKV was responsible for planning, development, design and purchasing for these cars. Their selling points are high fuel economy and a comfortable and roomy cabin.
NMKV's project to develop these mini cars is part of the plan to expand the scope of cooperation between Nissan and Mitsubishi, announced in December 2010. Following the DAYZ and eK, a "super height" (tall) wagon is their next product in the pipeline for an early 2014 launch. These cars are not likely to be launched in India. Instead while Nissan will look to establish the Datsun brand in India, Mitsubishi's strategy has shifted towards leadership in the SUV segment.
NMKV is yet to detail out the car's powertrain configuration, reveal the interior or announce the prices of these newborns. We will get to learn them in the course of the next few months, so stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com!
