For Immediate Release
Nissan Facebook Fans Invited to Participate in
ÒProject 370Z,Ó
Helping Define the Ultimate EnthusiastsÕ Z¨
Car
– Social Media-Directed Modifications Focus on Powertrain,
Exterior and Interior; Finished Project Planned for Reveal at Annual ÒZDayZÓ
Gathering in May –
CHICAGO (Feb.
9, 2012) – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today launched a social
media-directed Nissan 370Z build-up called ÒProject 370ZÓ at the Chicago Auto
Show – where the upcoming 2013 Nissan 370Z is also being previewed. The goal of the project is to utilize
the passion and knowledge of Nissan Z¨ fans online to help direct
the creation of a unique, one-off Nissan 370Z utilizing readily available
aftermarket parts and accessories.
Fans will vote on potential modifications and follow along with the
progress online through facebook.com/nissanperformance.
ÒCar companies
build project vehicles all the time, but we thought itÕd be interesting to
harness the power of social media to reach out to Z¨ enthusiasts
– the people who are doing this to their own cars everyday,Ó said Jon
Brancheau, vice president, Nissan Marketing, NNA. ÒTogether weÕll create a vehicle that expands on the already
outstanding performance and style of the Nissan 370Z with a balance of street and
track ready modifications. Then
weÕll share the finished project at upcoming Z¨ car enthusiast
gatherings around the country.Ó
Project 370Z
will be built in several phases – power, handling/brakes, interior and
exterior. Fan Likes, Comments and
Wall Posts will be reviewed over the course of each voting session and the part
or accessory with the most fan support will be chosen for the build. For example, in the initial Power
Phase, fans might vote between a turbocharger or supercharger for the factory
3.7-liter V6. Phase 2 may include
suspension and braking system, since the finished vehicle is expected to see
substantial track time. Fans will
take part and share in every aspect right up until the final design is revealed
at its planned debut set for late May at the annual ÒZDayZÓ event.
ZDayZ is an annual Z¨ car enthusiast gathering that takes
place in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Each year the event draws hundreds of
Nissan Z¨,
GT-R and other Nissan performance car enthusiasts from all over North
America. This year's ZDayZ will be
held on May 17-20. Attendees will
participate in a car show, exhaust sound-off, dyno competition, group dinners
and multiple group drives –
including runs on ÓThe Tail of the Dragon,Ó which has 318 curves over an
11-mile stretch of scenic Tennessee mountain highway.
ÒWeÕre excited
to see how this group-sourced Z¨ will come out and how it will
perform on both the street and track,Ó said Brancheau. ÒSocial media has become a powerful communications
tool and a great way for us to stay connected with our tremendous fan
base. Immediacy, like social media
itself, is another benefit of Project 370Z – which will be built from
start to finish in less than four months.Ó
In addition to its
debut at ZDayZ, Project 370Z will be shown at other enthusiast events such as
ZCON 2012 and the 2012 SEMA show.
The finished 370Z will also be made available for testing by leading
enthusiast publications, forums and blogs.
The 2013 Nissan 370Z,
which goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in June 2012, features a number
of enhancements – including a revised front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights.
About Nissan North
America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, design,
engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing,
distribution and manufacturing.
Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green
Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 and 2011 ENERGY STAR¨
Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information about Nissan in North
America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found
online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.Infiniti.com.
About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese
automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an
integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than
150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million
vehicles in 2010.
With a strong commitment to developing exciting and
innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of
fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti
brands. A pioneer in zero emission
mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the
first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous
international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year
award.
For more information on our products, services and
commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
# # #
Contact: Josh
Clifton, Nissan Product Communications, 615-725-1767, Josh.Clifton@Nissan-USA.com