Chrysler, Nissan Team Up on Trucks, Small Cars

Chrysler builds a good truck — the Ram. Nissan builds a good small car — the Versa. The two companies are now acknowledging their own strengths and tapping the other’s to boost their respective lineups.

In an agreement announced yesterday, Chrysler will build a full-size pickup for Nissan at its Mexico assembly plant. The resulting Nissan truck will replace the current Titan and go into production in 2011.

In exchange, Nissan will build an all-new (“all-new” meaning “not based on the current Versa”) fuel-efficient small car that is based on a “unique Chrysler concept.” It will be sold in North America and will hit the streets in 2010. Just because the agreement says “Chrysler” does not mean the small car will be branded a Chrysler; it could be a Dodge or Jeep.

Currently, Chrysler is still working with Chinese automaker Chery on a global small car. There’s no word on how the Nissan agreement may impact that deal or if the two models will overlap. Check out a number of recent Chrysler small car concepts below and let us know which one you’d like to see make it into production.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Nissan Titan

With heavyweights like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado in its class, the Nissan Titan has had trouble attracting buyers. It also doesn’t help that it consistently receives poor marks for reliability from consumer magazines. Given the obstacles the truck faces, can the 2008 Titan improve on its predecessors, and if so, can it then lure buyers? Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays is not all that optimistic.

2008 Nissan Titan Expert Review (Cars.com)

2008 Nissan Titan, Armada On Sale Now

We love getting price-announcement news releases that say the vehicles are on sale now. It must be frustrating to read news about a price you like, then not be able to go right out and buy said car. For 2008, Nissan has given both the Titan full-size pickup and the Armada SUV slight exterior modifications and a few more bells and whistles. There are no significant upgrades to the engines, but they can be snatched up today.

The Titan doesn’t get a bump in entry price, remaining at $23,700 for the 2WD King Cab XE with a standard bed. The Armada gets a slight bump, to $35,250 for the 4x2 SE, up from $34,950 in 2007. None of the prices include a $745 destination charge. A full list of trim levels and prices is below.

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More on the 2008 Nissan Titan

Nissan’s slew of new information continues to roll out. Now we’re learning a bit more about the new PRO-4X and long-wheelbase versions of Nissan’s full-size Titan pickup.

The PRO-4X is an off-road model with Rancho shocks, additional skid plates, electronic locking rear differential and specific 18-inch wheels. There are also interior touches — a PRO-4X logo and different gauges.

The PRO-4X and the rest of the range get the improved 5.6-liter V-8 engine, which sees its power output rise to 317 hp.

More photos of the lineup, including interior shots we weren’t able to bring you yesterday, are below.

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2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Titan

2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Titan

Nissan entered the full-size truck market with the Titan in 2004, but it didn’t endear itself to many truck fans. The 2008 model will arrive this spring sporting the new corporate truck face seen on the new Pathfinder and Armada. It will also come in a long-wheelbase version. There’s also a new trim called PRO-4, which joins the XE, SE and LE versions.

Inside the Titan we see some upgraded materials and a lot of new features, like optional Bluetooth hands-free calling, heated leather seats and a DVD entertainment system.

Power comes from a 317-hp, 385 pounds-feet of torque V-8 engine that’s rated to tow 9,500 pounds. That figure doesn’t match new offerings from Toyota and Chevrolet, which both best the 10,000-pound mark.

Nissan to Debut New Titan, Pathfinder and Armada Next Week

Nissan is getting the ball rolling and hoping to generate some pre-Chicago Auto Show buzz by unveiling revised versions of its Pathfinder and Armada SUVs, along with a refreshed Titan pickup, next week in Detroit. The three are getting both exterior and — much more importantly — interior upgrades. We’ll bring you all three next week, then we'll get to see the group in person at the Chicago Auto Show’s media days Feb. 7 & 8.