With the advent of new Datsun cars on the Russian market, many buyers have questions. How was it possible for a Japanese car to establish a value of less than 400,000 rubles? Who will be involved in the sale of this machine, and in general, where is the Datsun on-DO assembled? You will find answers to all these questions in this article. We also consider the advantages of cars of these brands, the main disadvantages and experience of drivers who had or have these cars. Below in the photo is the Datsun car. These machines are discussed later.
Where do they collect Datsun on-DO? The country of manufacture
Back in 2012, Nissan announced that they intend to revive the Datsun brand. The Japanese automobile giant decided to make budget cars for the market of underdeveloped countries under this brand. The main feature of such cars was their adaptation for each market separately. For example, for the Indian market, where only the price of the car plays a role, the Japanese Datsun of one configuration was created, for the Russian market - of another. Given the fact that Russians have higher requirements even for cheap models, Datsun had to try.
In addition, when developing a car, one has to take into account the prevailing climate in Russia and the quality of the road surface. It is also important that the engines and fuel system perceive domestic gasoline. The Japanese decided that such cars already exist on the Russian market - these are Lada Kalina and Lada Granta. Therefore, they decided not to bother and conclude a contract with AvtoVAZ.
Cars "Lada" and "Datsun" have one platform
After that, it became clear where they were collecting "Datsun on-DO." These Japanese cars are assembled in Tolyatti at the same factory and on the same production line as the Lada Kalina and Lada Granta cars. Also, the new "Datsun" are made on the same platform that is used in models of the domestic automobile industry. According to the head of AvtoVAZ, Dutsun will be the impetus for the development of the concern.
It also means that all improvements in Dutsun will appear very quickly in Kalina and Grants. For example, Datsun on-DO cars have a modified shape of the exterior mirrors, due to which the wind noise is significantly reduced at high speed. It also reduces mirror contamination. A similar decision will soon appear on Lada.
Why did Japanese manufacturers choose AvtoVAZ car platforms ? The fact is that they are cheap and simple, all components for them are made in Russia. Therefore, the cost of spare parts is low. It so happened that the new Datsun also have a low price due to the low cost of the platform.
Differences between Dutsun and Lada
Structurally, the car "Datsun" and "Grant" have differences. The main one is the design of the exterior and interior. But with regard to technical parameters, the models are identical. Moreover, Lada cars have several engine trim levels - with 16 and 8 valves. Also, these cars can be equipped with an automatic or manual gearbox. The Datsun car has only an 8-valve engine with an output of 87 horsepower and is also equipped with a manual or automatic transmission. There were also statements that there will be a budget version of the "Datsun" with an engine with a connecting rod and piston group, but there will be few such cars. Photos of Datsun and Lada Grant cars you see in this section.
Improvements at Datsun
It was also important for Datsun to create advantages over Lada cars. Therefore, the developers made an improvement in the noise insulation of the cabin. As a result, felt fenders appeared on the rear arches, which caused much less noise in the area of the rear wheels. More cars received shock absorbers with improved parameters, other springs and brakes. You can appreciate all the advantages of new Japanese cars thanks to the Datsun On-DO test drive.
A unique feature of these Japanese-Russian cars is a huge trunk of 530 liters - 10 liters more than in Granta cars. Perhaps, in this class it is the Datsun On-DO car that has the largest trunk.
Cost
Considering where Datsun on-DO is assembled, what platform and components used here, one should not be surprised at the low price. On the official website there is a promotional price for this car - 342,000 rubles with the participation of the buyer in the Datsun recycling program and when buying a car on credit.
Without discounts, the standard equipment of a car with an engine of 87 horsepower will cost 442,000 rubles. The most expensive equipment Dream II of this car with a 4-speed automatic transmission will cost 617,000 rubles. You can conduct a test drive "Datsun on-DO" in the company dealerships of the company, which are in many cities of Russia.
Note that even in the basic version of this model there is a driver's airbag, heated seats and mirrors. The top-end configuration includes multimedia with a USB interface, a navigation system with Citigid software, 4 airbags, an ESP system, and windshield heating.
Problems of Japanese-Russian co-production
Given that Japanese cars are manufactured in Russian factories where Lada is produced with some problems, are Japanese manufacturers afraid that AvtoVAZ will spoil the attitude of customers towards the Japanese brand? After all, the problem of Russian cars is not in the design. The quality of assembly work and weak components are the main disadvantages of domestic cars.
Therefore, when preparing a project for joint work with AvtoVAZ, Datsun turned its attention to the modernization of production. In 2013, Nissan experts checked the assembly line and made about 40 recommendations for improving the production line. Comments were made in various fields, from quality control to recommendations for the manufacture of new containers for the transportation of parts. Today, AvtoVAZ plant employs many foreigners who monitor and train.
Disadvantages of cars and a scandal with outboard engines
In recent months, there has been a lot of information on the Internet that engines drop out in Datsun cars. That is, the engine mount breaks, and the engine literally sags under the hood, and sometimes even clings to the ground. This applies not only to On-Do models, but also to other cars from the line. Moreover, the case is not an isolated one. Many owners of these machines complain of a similar design flaw.
Similar problems also occurred on Lada Grant cars, but in the latter case, the owner managed to sue the company about 900 thousand rubles. Therefore, there was a similar precedent. However, Datsun car owners are unsuccessfully trying to win the trial. The fact is that the examination appointed by the court ruled that the engine falls out as a result of damage to the suspension and destruction of the brackets of the motor supports. This, according to Datsun, is due to non-compliance with operating rules, namely due to inertial shock loads on the engine brackets. Similar loads arise as a result of driving a car on road bumps.
Forensic examination
It should be noted that the examination does not reveal any manufacturing defects that would affect the strength characteristics of the motor brackets. This means that such supports are provided by the design of the suspension, and are not an isolated case resulting from a defect or manufacturing defect. At the same time, Datsun does not pay compensation to its customers and does not repair in accordance with the guarantee, since the warranty book states that the service does not cover defects and breakdowns that arose as a result of non-compliance with the rules for using the car.
This suggests that cars of this brand are completely unsuitable for operation on Russian roads. Anyway, there is a technically incorrect calculation of the loads that are perceived by the brackets as a result of the operation of the car. And no matter how Datsun tries to blame such flaws on the improper use of cars, the problem is.
Also, on various Internet portals and forums, users complain that in the official Datsun group of the VKontakte social network, group leaders banally block users who complain and ask uncomfortable questions about outgoing motors.
Conclusion
And it all started well with these cars. The excellent Japanese concern Nissan, which is trusted in Japan and around the world, has come to the Russian market to sell reliable Japanese-quality cars. The expectations were very good, and the cars with their good characteristics turned out worthy, until the well-known scandal with engines happened. Most likely, the Datsun company has nothing to do with it, since the cars of this brand use the Lada car platform, and with Grant, as you know, there were similar precedents.