Since the resignation of Carlos Ghosn as Nissan’s CEO in 2018 following claims that he under-reported his earnings and misused the car company’s assets, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has faced a turbulent time.

In 2019, Nissan’s global sales volume fell 10.6 percent from a year earlier to 4.93 million vehicles.

The continued uncertainty of the Brexit negotiations has triggered a crisis for the car manufacturer in Europe, with the prospect of Nissan’s Sunderland factory closing in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

To add to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's woes, the coronavirus has damaged Nissan’s sales figures further this year. In October, the car manufacturer’s global production declined 15.1 percent from a year earlier.

The future of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance now depends upon the adoption of a new business model that will involve a massive increase in platform, technology, and production sharing.

Under the new arrangement, Renault will become the lead brand in Europe. Meanwhile, Nissan will become the lead firm in Japan, North America, and China.

Since the Alliance’s strategy evolved to ensure that Nissan focuses more on North America, the car company has released the new Armada, which is due to go on sale in 2021. 

What Should We Expect From The New Armada

2020 Nissan Armada
via Autoblog

The new Armada promises to be an exciting addition to the Nissan family, and the pickup has many exciting features that could help transform the ailing car manufacturer’s fortunes in America.

The updating of the V-motion grille and headlights are the most obvious changes to the new Armada. Body-on-frame construction, V-8 power, and curvaceous D pillar will carry over as well. Despite this, it is not anticipated to be an all-new model.

Instead, it is an extensive refresh that sees a visual reworking inside and out without making changes that are more than skin-deep.

Much of the interior remains unchanged, with the exception of changes made to the center console. The new 12.3-inch infotainment screen placed above the dashboard is one of the Armada’s key highlights.

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Furthermore, it is now able to support split-screen compatibility along with smartphone mirroring. Wireless Apple Car Play is included while Android users will need a cord connection. A wireless phone charger is also available along with a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The engine has slightly improved since the 2020 Armada. The naturally aspirated 5.6-liter Endurance V-8 gets a slight power bump to 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque – an increase of 10 and 19 from the 2020 Armada. That number minutely drops if you run it on Regular instead of Premium.

The new Armada may not represent a radical change from its predecessors, but following two tumultuous years for Nissan, it represents an opportunity for the car company nonetheless.

The Armada Is Nissan's Chance To Reinvent Itself In America

2021 Nissan Armada
Nissan

Nissan has suffered in America this year. In the U.S., total industry volume fell 3.6 percent from a year earlier to 16.6 million vehicles. The car manufacturer’s sales decreased 14.3 percent to 1.24 million vehicles, equivalent to a market share of 7.5 percent, down 0.9 points.

Armada sales have witnessed a steady decline. In the first quarter of 2020, Nissan sold 8,027 Armadas compared to 9,801 for the same period in 2019.

The problem that the Armada has is that it is not a volume-seller. Its best sales year was in 2017 with 35,667 units. However, it is the brand’s most expensive vehicle outside of the GT-R sports car, which shows that customers are paying for quality when it comes to purchasing the Armada.

Now that the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has shifted its strategy to focus on the U.S., it can concentrate on expanding the sales volumes of vehicles targeted at the American market. Its turnaround plans for North America have already received a boost thanks to sales of the Rogue compact SUV climbing by 20 percent in November. This should give Nissan some hope that America remains its best bet for recovering lost profits.

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The Armada Faces Some Tough Competition

2020 Nissan Armada
via NewtonNissanSouth

The Nissan Armada will face some stiff competition, though. The Toyota Hilux has many outstanding features such as a power-height adjustable seat and 18-inch black alloy wheels.

Also, the Ford Ranger possesses technologies that help drivers with their journeys, such as Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Aid, and parking sensors, which increase a driver’s awareness on the road. Its Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Active Park Assist help ensure that the driver remains in control.

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Nissan Has The Potential To Succeed

2021 Nissan Armada
Nissan

Going into 2021, Nissan has every reason to be optimistic that it can boost its sales in the U.S. The Armada is one of its best-priced vehicles for a reason – it has a lot to offer.

The Rogue’s sales volume in America shows that the car company can improve its luck beyond Europe.

The new pickup will find it hard to distinguish itself in a crowded market, especially when it does not have many new features, but there are also many reasons why Nissan’s customers should be excited about the next Armada.

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