New Nissan sedan concept will be unveiled at Auto China 2014. For the second year in a row, Chinese designers at Nissan Design China take part in realizing a globally-applicable concept.

The most populated country in the world continues to transform itself and has proven to the world its potential. More than 160 cities in China have a population of more than one million, and with them have come large, complex infrastructure and the introduction of global brands from all sectors. For carmakers such as Nissan, China's rapidly growing and fast changing auto market means the opportunity to redefine the role and look of automobiles for this dynamic market.

Nissan's first vehicle, a Cedric, was imported to China in 1973. At the time, Chinese were impressed by Cedric's quality, luxury and technology.

Now, 40 years later, Nissan is in a position to further impress the Chinese public on a whole new level.

China is now an integral player in writing the global design language for Nissan products that range from sedans to crossovers, with Nissan Design China (NDC) in Beijing joining other world-class Nissan design hubs in the US, the UK and Japan since 2011.

Nissan Design China

Nissan has already made several contributions to what the future of Chinese transportation could be. Among them is the concept for a four-passenger sedan, "Friend-ME."

Unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2013, Friend ME is a muscular and provocative creature of the night, meant to be seen in China's bright city lights from the eyes of the China's "Post-80s"generation. Consisting of approximately 240 million Chinese in their mid-20s to early 30s, this emerging consumer sector is expected to become the world's largest single market segment. Most people of this generation were born under the one-child policy, so for the most part grew up without siblings.

Nissan Friend-ME concept

Friend-ME is defined by an assertive, imposing exterior with boldly flowing sculpted lines. "It's dynamic and definitely attracts attention which is exactly what young people in China want their cars to do," said Andy Palmer, Chief Planning Officer and executive vice president of Nissan. Friend-ME addresses the Post-80s' need for both privacy and sharing, with an interior design that creates a more private space for each passenger, yet allows for seamless sharing of information and content through a connectivity console.

For Friend-ME, Post-80s Chinese designers participated in the design process from concept – the first time for them to realize a concept car design in collaboration with the Nissan Global Design Center (NGDC) under the leadership and direction of Nissan Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura.

Friend-ME, the new Sport Sedan Concept and Resonance

The Friend-ME concept is one of the models in the Nissan global concept series, which includes the Nissan Resonance and Sports Sedan Concept, unveiled in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Together they form the roadmap to the next generation of Nissan design evolution and design-led renaissance of the Nissan brand.

This year, NDC reveals a second look at the future of motoring for China at Auto China 2014. Large LED boomerang headlights and "V-Motion"movement – signature features of Resonance, Friend-ME and the Sport Sedan Concept – are evident.

Talking about future design, Shiro Nakamura said, "Nissan design will possess consistency and diversity which covers all body types, from sedan to crossovers."Stay tuned to see how this is realized in the new sedan concept to be unveiled at Auto China 2014.

Read More

• Nissan Set to Thrill'Auto China 2014' With New Sedan Concept (press release):

http://www.nissan.com.cn/media_center/news/2014/_STORY/1439.html

• Sport Sedan Concept Debuts Future Look of Nissan Sedans (press release): 

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2014/_STORY/140113-02-e.html

• Nissan Celebrates 40^th Anniversary in China (press release): 

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2013/_STORY/130917-02-e.html?rss

• Nissan Friend-ME Concept for a New Generation (video):

http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/channels/2013-shanghai-auto-show/releases/nissan-friend-me-concept-for-a-new-generation