Dongfeng-Nissan unveils Livina C-Gear in Beijing

Shanghai, April 8 (Gasgoo.com) Automaker Dongfeng Nissan, a joint venture between China's Dongfeng Motor and Japan's Nissan Motor, released the all-new Livina C-Gear in Beijing on April 7. The newly unveiled Livina C-Gear has four models available at prices between RMB 99,800 ($14,230) and RMB 112,800 for sale in China.

This functional and stylish 5-seat vehicle broadens the appeal of this already popular Livina series of cars. The C-Gear has a sportier feel inside achieved through a black and silver finish while retaining its functionality with its 383 liter boot. And it has spacious front and rear seating with ample space extending to the trunk which tops its class for loading capacity up to 383 liters.

The Livina C-Gear has a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with the choice of four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmissions. Like other Livina models, the C-Gear comes from the design and engineering teams at Nissan Technical Center in Atsugi, Japan. The model will be produced locally at DFL's Huadu plant in Guangdong province in southern China.

The Livina series consists of three variants: the Livina Geniss, a multi-purpose vehicle; Livina, a hatchback; and Livina C-Gear, a sporty hatchback. Livina models have sold more than 72,000 units in China since their debut in November 2006. Nissan hopes to boost the figure by adding the 1,600 c.c. sporty hatchback, developed based on the Livina subcompact car.

China is Nissan's third largest after the United States and their home country Japan. Nissan has developed the Livina range almost exclusively for China and they are extended to three models at the upcoming 2008 Beijing auto show on April 20-28.

Nissan plans to introduce the Livina C-Gear to Indonesia and other markets as the Livina X-Gear, in a bid to expand global sales of the series to 200,000 units a year.