Nissan Micra models haven’t made as much of an impact in North America as the company might have liked, and they’ve even been withdrawn from some international markets. However, the vehicles are quite efficient, and Nissan hopes that people will realize that the car’s specifications are its best selling points. Some consumers aren’t sold on numbers alone, and that’s why the automaker plans to redesign the vehicle.

Drivers of the Micra might not exactly care about looks as much as they care about everything else. On the other hand, many commentators have expressed their doubts about the way that the Micra’s looks are inhibiting its sales. Consumers don’t want to be branded as drivers of nerdy cars. While it might seem vain, looks have a serious influence on sales of motor vehicles. It looks like this fact has finally dawned on Nissan.

If sales were to take off, that could mean that Nissan would find a new North American market. Subcompact cars are rather popular at the moment, and people are looking for an alternative to cramped designs. Giving consumers more room without sacrificing fuel economy or safety is a great idea, but which direction Nissan will go in remains to be seen. Representatives of the company have suggested that the Qashqai and the Juke are the primary inspirations for the new design. While Nissan has become a truly international company with many outlets in North America, it seems that Shiro Nakamura will be working on the redesign.

Nissan wants an individual identity for their vehicles that will help them stand out from other automakers. While it might seem strange to start by developing a new subcompact model, it makes sense in the light of market conditions. While they’re envious of the great fuel economy that many smaller models have, they don’t want to sacrifice status. If Nissan were to give these consumers a vehicle that they’d like to drive, they’d certainly choose it over other models.

It could also help to boost new car sales in the domestic arena. Dealerships might want a smaller vehicle that they could actually sell. By having a consistent for all of their vehicles, Nissan lots would look far more uniform and professional than they do today. Future sales figures might be a little more interesting than commentators currently think.