The 2001 NISSAN XTERRA- Nissan rolled out the Job One Xterra at the Tennessee manufacturing plant covered in mud, demonstrating that today's true SUV "looks good dirty." Xterra is the first import sport utility vehicle completely designed, engineered and manufactured in North America. Knowing that many of the buyers will be using Xterra in their active lives, Nissan has incorporated several well thought out and useful features, including 10 interior tie-down hooks, waterproof removable rear seat covers, a dual bike mount and a first aid kit.

Nissan has always had a passion for cars. Their racing efforts have won them dozens of championships in everything from off-road trucks and high-technology endurance sports cars. Then there was the Z car that reshaped the way we looked at sports car. AutoNetDirect places Nissan as a leader in trendsetting, and foresee Nissan as a leading manufacturer into this decade and beyond.

The addition of Xterra gives Nissan two distinctive models to help compete in the evolving SUV market. . It will be priced lower than the now luxurious Pathfinder and should attract a younger generation of SUV buyers. "As part of our commitment to this active, outdoor enthusiast market, Nissan has previously hosted sponsorships of a series of off-road triathlons, known as the XTERRA Championship and Festival Tour," said Michael Seergy, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.

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The designers were smart enough to give it a tough, rugged, muscular look, and no one is going to mistake Xterra for a minivan: A large, black-finished grille anchors the front view and bumper and rough, angular surface edges. The headlights, front bumper, hood, A-pillars and front doors are common to Frontier. The side view features angular, stamped fender flares that create its "broad shoulder" appearance. The raised roofline over the rear passenger and cargo area provides ample headroom inside for stadium-style rear seating and also gives Xterra its distinctive profile.

Utilizing the traditional Nissan sport-ute styling, rear-door handles are located in the C-pillars for a cleaner look: The optional tubular step rails and tubular roof rack are functional, rugged and create a visual "exoskeleton" for the vehicle. The roof rack (optional on XE, standard on SE) is rated to carry heavy loads up to 125 pounds and is constructed of lightweight aluminum and powder-coated for extra durability. A special removable front basket can carry up to 30 pounds of wet or dirty gear (secured by an accessory net), and the aerodynamic, adjustable cross bars are available with a range of accessory attachments to help configure complex loads .

The Xterra sport ute is spacious and the higher rear seat allows great visibility for all occupants: It offers seating for five adults, with front bucket seats and stadium-style 50/50 split rear fold-down bench seating for added versatility and a great view for rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat cushions are removable, providing a large, flat cargo area with the rear seat folded down. There are also small storage bins in the cargo area. Storage pockets are included on the back of the front passenger seat and on the upper left side - an ideal "shirt pocket" for holding sunglasses, wallet or cellular phone.

Some inside news about Nissan: Nissan is at a crossroads. After being the first Japanese car company to gain real success in the sixties, they lost their way in the seventies, and now are going back to basics, The company invented the mini-pickup that dominated the marketplace in the seventies. At one time there were over 10 models sold in the U.S., and while they have been one of the victims of the SUV craze, now Nissan has a four-door crew-cab version of the Frontier that is likely to reverse that trend. They were the first Asian company to build a U.S. plant, and their Smyrna, Tennessee facility is consistently rated as the most productive U.S. factory. JH/AutoNetDirect.com

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