Carlos Ghosn completes global launch of Nissan 350z at Geneva Motor Show

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Geneva, March 4 -- Carlos Ghosn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nissan Motor Company, today introduced the European version of the new Nissan 350Z sportscar at the Geneva Motor Show, heralding the start of pre-sales in the European market.

With the introduction of the European 350Z, due to hit showrooms in October this year, Nissan will complete the launch of the global sports car in its three major markets - Japan, North America and Europe.

The Nissan 350Z is a pure 2-seater sportscar that combines bold design, advanced technology and genuine sportscar performance. Ahead of its European sales launch, the car has been fine-tuned for European tastes and driving conditions.

During a short speech to mark the 350Z's European debut, Carlos Ghosn said: "With its European launch, the 350Z becomes the truly global standard bearer of the Nissan brand. Dynamic products such as these are at the heart of Nissan's current transformation and future performance."

Since its launch in Japan and North America in July last year, the 350Z has swept top awards across the globe including the Canadian Car of the Year, the 2003 'Best of the Year' award from PBS's MotorWeek and the 'People's Choice Car of the Year'. The car also made Car and Driver's '10 Best' list and was shortlisted for the US Car of the Year. In Japan, the Fairlady Z (350Z in North America and Europe) won the 2002-2003 'Most Fun' award from the Japanese Car of the Year jury.

The 350Z will be the fourth all-new Nissan passenger car to be launched in Europe in 18 months, joining the Primera, X-TRAIL, and acclaimed new Micra to represent the shape of the new Nissan.

Nissan employs around 12,000 people in its European design, research and development, manufacturing, logistics, and sales and marketing operations. Last year, the company sold 474,000 vehicles in Europe.