Nissan to Roll Out 10 Models in North America

Nissan Motor Co. plans to introduce 10 new or redesigned models to its North American lineup in the next three years as part of an effort to return Japan’s second-largest auto maker to profitability. A broad outline of the company’s plans for the U.S. market is scheduled to be unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show by Nissan’s incoming president, Carlos Ghosn. Ghosn, who has been running the company as chief operating officer since French auto maker Renault acquired controlling interest last year, isn’t expected to offer details of the expansion plan. But Nissan has said it will bring a new version of its famed Z-Series sports coupe to market. And one Nissan insider said new products likely would include a full-size pickup or variation that combines attributes of a sport-utility vehicle and a short-bed pickup. Other vehicles on tap for the next three years include re-engineered versions of the Altima and Maxima sedans. Ghosn has called the U.S. market Nissan’s best chance for a turnaround. When he took the reins last year, Ghosn gave his management team until March 31, 2001, to restore profit, saying that if they could not do the job a new team should be named.