Nissan Pulls Plug on Altima Coupe

After much speculation, Nissan officially confirms it is discontinuing its Altima Coupe model.

The 2-door was introduced in ’08 as an addition to the previous-generation Altima sedan’s lineup.

When the Altima sedan was redesigned last year for ’13 the coupe was not, with Nissan carrying over the ’12 coupe into ’13.

When questioned about the future of the coupe last year, Nissan officials were noncommittal.

WardsAuto/Automotive Compass forecast data does not show the 2-door Altima returning at a later date.

Nissan doesn’t break out coupe sales from total Altima sales, but it is believed to be a low-volume vehicle by many industry watchers.

The No.3 Japanese auto maker targeted single buyers in their 20s and 30s at the vehicle’s spring 2007 media launch, as well as empty-nesters “who are looking for something extra to give them some more self-expression in their lives, after years of driving sedans or minivans,” a former Nissan official said then.

The auto maker brushed off concerns limited demand for other midsize coupes signaled the segment was doomed. Shrinking sales were due to lack of exciting product, not the size or door configuration of the vehicles themselves, Nissan said in 2007.

The Altima coupe’s discontinuance follows that of the Camry Solara, which Toyota pulled from the market in ’08.

One 2-door version of a midsize sedan does remain in the U.S., however: Honda’s Accord Coupe, which was redesigned for ’13 along with the 4-door Accord.

Meanwhile, two other low-volume Nissans continue for ’14: the Cube boxy compact and Murano CrossCabriolet convertible cross/utility vehicle.

Both are largely mostly unchanged from ’13, although the Cube does get a new turquoise exterior color, which replaces a chocolate-brown shade.

Most of the changes to Nissan’s lineup for ’14 include modifications to option packages.

The ’14 Altima 2.5 S gets a new Sport Value package with 16-in. aluminum alloy wheels, while 2.5 S and 3.5 S grades get a new Display Audio package with a 5.0-in. (12-cm) color screen.

However, Nissan says it tinkered with the suspension, steering and transmission tuning for its Sentra compact sedan, which was all-new for ’13.

The ’14 Sentra also will have improved infotainment features, the auto maker promises.

The closely watched Leaf electric vehicle is mostly unchanged after undergoing a number of additions in ’13. Nissan did add a rearview monitor as standard for ’14 on all Leaf grades.

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