Nissan launches a new era for its NISMO performance brand and introduces the world to its New Global Performance Car and Motorsports Brand.

Cape Town, South Africa 26 February 2013: The Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. launched a new era for the NISMO high performance vehicle brand by confirming it as Nissan's exclusive global performance car and motorsports brand. This took place at the official opening of the new NISMO global headquarters and development centre situated in a refurbished Nissan factory in Yokohama, Japan.

The Nissan NISMO brand is already well-known in motorsport and high performance vehicle circles and with the announcement that it is to become an individual brand within the Nissan stable it is poised for accelerated global impact. This will not only enhance Nissans already impressive reputation for innovation, but will also add a feeling of youthfulness and excitement to the Nissan brand in South Africa and around the globe

In a special held in japan on the 25^th of February 2013, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn declared the new headquarters open and went on to explain how the new Nissan NISMO brand will play an ever increasing prominent role in the worlds performance car and motorsports events. He went on to further explain that,

"NISMO will democratise performance and bring new excitement to the Nissan portfolio with a broader range of affordable and innovative performance models for more markets and more people,". He also added that, "Whether it's a small car or a sports car, if it's wearing the NISMO badge it offers something special – quality, functionality, and efficiency, with NISMO's distinctive styling, sporty handling and dynamic performance capabilities."

The first new Nissan production vehicle to get the NISMO treatment will be the Juke NISMO. This vehicle is already available in Europe and Japan and will be launching in the United States sometime in the spring.

The future of the NISMO brand is further assured with the planned new version of the 370Z NISMO soon to be available in European markets. They have also promised a rapid pace of introduction of even more NISMO models, including a new flagship Nissan GT-R NISMO.

Press release submitted by Justin Atkins at WSI, Cape Town on behalf of Group1 Nissan (Kuilsriver). For more PR information, please call WSI Web Marketing Cape Town on 021-913 4382.