Story: DAVID WILKINS
HERE’S a way to cut the running costs of your company cars.
Nissan has announced big price cuts for the Micra. The range now starts at £7,995 (previously £9,750) for the entry-level 115g/km 56.5 mpg 1.2-litre Visia, which does without air-con but has Bluetooth and an aux input for music players – so half the standard business spec but at a very attainable price.
Next up, the Acenta, which starts at £9,995 gets air-con, alloys, front fogs and a leather steering wheel, and above that, there’s the £10,495 Acenta Connect, which gets Nissan’s Connect touch-screen navigation system as well as Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming.
A special edition, the ELLE, produced in conjunction with the women’s magazine of the same name, adds climate control, a glass roof and ELLE badging for £11,195.
The top-of-the range Tekna costs £11,545 and boasts a glass roof, parking space measurement, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps and wipers, and climate control.
The price cuts will be welcome to SMEs. The Forum of Private Business says that its latest Referendum survey indicates the cost of doing business has continued to rise during 2012, with energy costs and transport costs the most seen increase among SMEs.
Alex Jackman, the Forum’s Senior Policy Adviser, added: “It doesn’t look as if there is going to be any respite from energy hikes any time soon. Oil prices have started rising again having dipped in the summer, and on the horizon we have a 3p a litre increase in fuel duty scheduled for January.”
However, the new Nissan price cut will help. As will the business car finance offers from Nissan.
If you prefer to let your staff run their cars privately, and then claim back business mileage using the tax-free AMAP system, then Nissan has monthly PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) rates ranging from £99 for the Acenta to £149 for the Tekna, and there’s a £199 three-year servicing and roadside assistance package as well.
All Nissan Micras have 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engines with either 80 or 98 (supercharged) PS. Transmissions are a five speed manual or an optional CVT automatic.
Nissan is now pricing the Micra against city cars from the budget brands, rather than against the Fiesta, Polo and other big-selling superminis.
The current Micra has frequently been criticised for its comparative crudity. That’s partly because it is a world car aimed mainly at emerging markets – unlike its predecessor, which was designed for, and built in Europe.
That means it’s not a very exciting choice for enthusiasts but at these much lower prices it’s an interesting option for the cost-conscious company car driver looking for practical and reliable basic transport, or an SME director wanting low-cost business car management and reliable transport for staff.
