2021 was a challenging year for the automotive industry, and 2022 doesn’t look much better so far. The issue with the availability of semiconductors and other components remains relevant for many brands. As a result, there are still disruptions in the supply of new cars, and it is forecasted to be another year of significant price increases.
But no matter how bad things look with logistics and components, tough market competition forces automakers to modernize their model lineup. In 2022, around 40 new cars will debut. Most of them will, of course, be crossovers with hybrid or electric drives. In this article, we will look at the announced new products from two renowned Japanese brands.
Nissan
- An interesting option for pragmatic entrepreneurs is the Nissan Townstar, a twin brother of Renault Kangoo, offered in passenger and cargo-passenger versions. They will replace the NV-200 and e-NV200 models. The gasoline version will be offered with a 1.3-liter engine with 130 hp and 240 Nm of torque. The fully electric Townstar EV will go on sale in early autumn. It will be equipped with a 44 kWh battery. With a cargo space of 3.3 to 4.3 m3, the Townstar offers the ability to transport two euro pallets and a load capacity of 600-800 kg.
- The long-announced electric coupe-crossover Ariya hit showrooms this spring. Five versions are available in the European market, including two with front-wheel drive. Buyers can choose from two traction battery blocks with a capacity of 63 kWh or 87 kWh.
- Before the summer holidays, the Qashqai lineup was supplemented by the e-Power version, where the internal combustion engine serves only as a generator of electricity.
- At the end of the summer, the long-awaited new generation of the favorite of all car service owners – Nissan X-Trail, including with e-Power, will appear.
Toyota
- The manufacturer has high commercial hopes for the compact SUV Corolla Cross, which is smaller than the RAV4 but larger than the C-HR. It will appear in showrooms in the spring. The new model is based on the TNGA (GA-C) platform. The length of the vehicle is 446 cm, the wheelbase is 264 cm, and the width is 182 cm. In Asian markets, the novelty will be available in a hybrid version with a 1.8-liter engine producing 122 hp and a gasoline engine 1.8/140 hp.
- In February, a cute little one appeared — the Aygo X, i.e., a heavily modernized Aygo.
- In the spring, the Proace City lineup was supplemented by an electric variant.
- At the end of the summer, the extremely popular CH-R will also be modernized.
- An important new product from Toyota is the electric SUV/crossover bZ4X with a length of 469 cm. It will compete among others with Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4. The Toyota bZ4X will be offered with front or all-wheel drive. The first one produces 204 hp (265 Nm), and the second one – 217 hp (336 Nm). The traction battery block for both options has a capacity of 71.4 kWh.