Nissan to go big on Altima midcycle change

DETROIT -- Nissan's volume-leading Altima sedan is to get substantial midcycle changes for the 2016 model year.

The company will not tip its hand on the details, but Nissan's North American product planner describes the planned freshening as "significant."

The move would follow Toyota's extensive midcycle changes to the 2015 Camry. It also reflects the increasing competitiveness of the midsize sedan segment in the United States, said Pierre Loing, Nissan North America's vice president of product planning.

"Midsize is contracting a little, but it's still a 2 million-a-year segment. It's extremely important," Loing told Automotive News last week at the Detroit auto show.

"Camry did something very huge. I believe they did that probably because they thought the car was not where they wanted it to be," he said.

"I'm not sure we're going to go to that extent. But we're going to do something significant for the Altima for the midcycle."

The plan includes styling changes and technology improvements, Loing said.

The Altima has risen from also-ran sales status in the past two years to nip at the heels of the Camry and the Honda Accord. Last year, Nissan sold 335,644 Altimas, an increase of 5 percent. Accord sales were 388,374 and Camry sales were 428,606.

The Altima outsold both rivals in December.

"It is very difficult to grow in the segment because our competitors do a very good job," Loing said. "But we're a strong player and we intend to remain a strong player and grow.

"If you look at fuel economy, we're very good. Altima is 38 miles per gallon. It's a light car. It's already up there, and of course we will reinforce this when we do the midcycle."