The Z - Not A Popular Choice
 

Last year, #8 on the worst selling car in Canada list.

This year, #2 lowest sales by Volume - Nissan 370Z.

2011 sales: 453 (less than half the 2010 sales).

Hopefully most of that can be blamed on poor production because of the issues in Japan. But, based on the fact I see them sitting in the showrooms, I don't think that's the case. They simply aren't selling.

Our beloved car will be on the endangered list soon. Manfacturers don't like bringing cars to countries where they don't sell.

Come on man .... It's not a Civic!

Retail price is at least 40k before taxes. After taxes it's almost 50k. That's a lot of dough for a car considering the average annual income is 40k or so. Not to mention it's not a very practical car, 2 seats, no trunk, etc. Also, only rwd, so not the easiest car to drive in winter. Another thing is the car is a bit too rough, too sporty, and too harsh for the non-enthusiasts among the poser crowds who may opt for something that looks like a sports car but rides like a lexus.

Don't get me wrong, I actually love the fact that my Z is unique and rare. Just wondering at what point does Nissan say "not worth it". 453 doesn't seem like much and manufacturers are all about sales figures, not keeping enthusiasts happy.

Actually, I'm pretty sure Nissan focuses its volume sales on cars like the Altima and Maxima (cash cows)...the 370Z is not built strictly for profit and production is hence limited so they make money, don't overproduce, and have a flagship car for a market/price range not too many companies are in...check the sales #s on the GTR, let me know what you find...Try Ferrari too, surprised they're still in business?

silly canadians

My local Nissan dealer imports more slightly used (demo) 370z's from the U.S. than ordering new Canadian models. Last summer they had 3 U.S. models and 1 Canadian model on the lot. The price difference is huge ~$10000+ in savings to buy the U.S. model.

Our local dealer (Canada's Largest Nissan Dealer) sells all of their Z's each year. Most to other dealers looking for cars, but still moves a lot here in Alberta. Plus GTR's too!

I am glad the car is unique and I don't see one on every corner, but I think Nissan knows that that having a unique, low volume car actually drives brand awareness and desire for their products. That means if someone sees a 370Z and goes "WOW! I want one of those" they might go to the dealer, look at the Z, maybe drive it, then ultimately drive home in an Altima or Maxima...
In the end, Nissan still wins.

I think it's the fact that the Z is a 2 seater being the main reason for the low sales volumes. They sell probably 10 times as many more expensive G37 coupes simply cause its a 2+2
But I do like the idea of owning a more exclusive car.

Yes! The exclusivity is nice. That thought never crossed my mind until after I bought one. People are staring all the time, compliments all the time, at traffic lights, parking lots, even with my car in the garage with the door open people will say something positive when they walk by. I think it's hilarious, the attention a $50000 CDN car gets. My neighbours even drool over it and the one guy has a modded Z06 and the other has a Caddy XLR... nuts! lol

you gotta compare it with cars around the same price dude. cant compare a Z with a corola or a civic which anyone can pretty much own with 0 down and pay like $200 a month. I mean, whoever buys this kind of cars its because he's(she) is a car lover. Z's have been around for a pretty long time and they've always been pretty pricy....the fact the still make them means nissan is gotta be doing something right lol

I'm not comparing the Z to anything in terms of sales. I'm simply stating it's 2nd from the bottom in total sales of all vehicles in Canada that are reporting within the general manufacturers. The point was not to draw any comparisons. The point was Nissan sold 453 Z cars (and that number is dropping rapidly), and that's next to nothing in car sales. Just about any other mainstream manufaturer would drop a vehicle from the Canadian market with sales that low.

There are TONS of cars and trucks out there that cost a lot more than the Z that are outselling it by a ton. The easiest example, B'mers. It is a fact that for all sorts of reasons, people buying cars at this price point are not buying Z's on mass. I understand why they don't sell a lot of them, I know the reasons. But 453? Wow! As a person who loves my Z more than any other vehicle I've ever owned, I find that shocking.

My observation is that with sales that low, could it be heading for another hiatus? It has taken a hiatus before and these days, major corporations just want to make money. At 453 units, is this profitable for Nissan?

On the positive side, the Z line is the best selling sports car line ever built. Thats a feather in Nissans cap and a damn good reason to keep it around!

By the nature of you saying it's on a list of others, you are making a comparison.

Wow, this thread just got blown out of proportion .... the guy was just expressing the facts of Z's not selling enough. Personally, I'd rather have less Z's out there so it could be rare and still catch peoples eyes. Anyways, keep coming warm weather .... my Z is twitching to wake up!

I hope we have more better meets in the GTA this year!

Unfortunately, some will take the observation as a slight against the car and feel the need to defend to defend the low sales.

And I'm with ya on the warm weather, April 15 can't get here fast enough for me!!

As was said by another poster, some manufacturer's will take a hit on low production cars as the cars provide image. The image helps sells their other cars such as the Maxima commercial in which the male has kids and pulls a Maxima out of the hatch of a 370Z. You can look at Vipers, ZR1, Ford GT's and such for the same reason. Now an argument can be made that Nissan now has the GTR, so they don't need the 370Z for this anymore. I argue that the Z has the heritage that the GTR doesn't have, so I would guess safe for the time being.

So... What's the point of this thread?

Well said, well said!

Well said??? Yes, assuming Mr.Pharmacist is looking for a 4WD sedan around $40k.

The numbers posted by the OP is from the Canadian market sales, manufacture will look at the numbers from global sales.

I would not believe the Z is in endangered list as long as NISSAN is still making it, the Z is the symbol of NISSAN, and how could they stop bring it to Canada??

We have little number of Z in Canada, but we won't have none.

I've noticed a recent increase in # of black/white 370z in my area. :( I feel less special everyday. Richmond BC

There's probably a few factors to why the sales did so poor this year, the economy was pretty bad and overall Canadians are quite conservative on purchasing items like a two door coupe. Many of my buddies like the Z but they simply find it not practical for the price, can't compare to the US as it is much cheaper. Also competition is another reason, I think all the Genesis owners were once potential Z buyers. Have to admit Genesis is a pretty good deal. I see a lot of Genesis!

Maybe the bad sales have triggered Nissan to upgrade the 2012/13 Z, can't wait till they unveil it in the upcoming Chicago Auto show.

That and the previously mentioned similiar point do make sense, Never looked at it that way. The Viper, ZR1 and GT's are good examples and if you add the heritage factor, that probably does keep it safe.

I have never understood the Z's lack of sales, but I am starting to realise that is skewed by my view of the world (40's and no kids). The more I think about it, there really isn't a big market for the car.

The point was, I saw the stats online and sure enough, there was my beloved car at the bottom of the list in sales. I saw that very low number and thought "wow, wonder if they will stop selling it in Canada". So, I asked the question here.

I got some constructive feedback......and apparently raised the ire of some by pointing out the low sales.

Gee, sorry I even mentioned it.

I think another hiatus is likely. Sales worldwide are not only low, they're declining significantly year-over-year.

:iagree:

Yeah, the Z is a niche vehicle for sure. Look at GM who tried to enter that market only to scrap the Sky and Solstice shortly after their introduction... however, those two vehicles also don't/didn't have the heritage that the Z does.

I really like the low volume of the Z, making it more rare. Just hope Nissan doesn't decide to end it's life because of the low numbers.

I wasn't taking about myself. I was talking about the average canadian. Yes for the general public a 50k 2 seat gas guzzling stiff riding sports car is neither affordable nor logical. Are you disputing this?

I know when I was trying to get my Z in the US last August, there were only about 4 within a three hour drive of me. Every dealer kept telling me that they weren't getting any new Z's because of the tsunami... that could factor in a bit. Also everything else that people before mentioned.

IBTL... But thank you Dizzy for posting the info.

I don't think you need to be IBTL. There's lots more raunchier threads that should be closed long before this one. I suppose it's the "Canadian" inside of all who post and read here ... this "looks" a lot worse than it is.

Yeah, nothing wrong with this thread...

..............yet. lol just my speculation that this thread will somehow turn into the wrong direction in the near future.

Let the good weather come!! lol!

They did in '96 with the 300zx tt.. What makes you think it couldn't happen?

Nissan was hoping that the sales of the z34 would match or eclipse those set by the z33.. -Not happening anytime soon..

:iagree:

:iagree:

:rofl2: I know what u mean.. but not for the color.. I was the only Z in the neighborhood for a while... Then 2 more appeared.. :(

I guess im not part of the Canadian sales stats... I'm guilty of purchasing my Z south of the border (saved over 10k!) other wise I would be in a G37 :ugh2: