(November 15, 2011) In celebration of the Nissan Altima’s sales success over the past two decades, Nissan today announced a special “20th Anniversary Package” for its 2012 Nissan Altima sedan. Total Altima sales in the United States have topped 3.6 million since its introduction in September 1992, making it one of the best-selling vehicles in Nissan history.

Altima, which is now in its fourth generation, is the best-selling nameplate in the Nissan lineup and brings many first-time Nissan buyers into the brand. It is the second best selling car in the U.S. in 2011 (through October, trucks excluded), ahead of Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Ford Fusion.

Sales in 2011 to date are up 18.3 percent. Altima has also won numerous awards from independent consumer organizations in recent years. Altima has also been made in the United States throughout its history, originally in Smyrna, Tenn., and later Canton, Miss. (in addition to Smyrna) and is now exported from the U.S. to many countries around the world.

“We want to acknowledge Altima’s first two decades and how much it has meant to the company — and reward loyal Altima customers with this special 20th Anniversary equipment package,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.

“From its uncertain beginnings, Altima has grown to be a real power nameplate for Nissan in the competitive mid-size segment – a position we intend to hold for many more anniversaries to come.”

First generation
1994 Nissan Altima

As a little known point of trivia, when the original Altima appeared in mid-1992 as a 1993 model, it officially carried two names and two badges – Altima and Stanza.

Though the Stanza name was there more for regulatory compliance than a lack of confidence in renaming the middle vehicle in Nissan’s longstanding Sentra-Stanza-Maxima three-sedan lineup, there were concerns at the time about the public’s acceptance and ability to pronounce the new Altima name — enough that guidelines were distributed explaining the proper syllable emphasis. The concern was ill-founded, as Altima had an almost immediate impact on the mid-size sedan segment, which at the time was dominated by the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

The first generation Altima, which was sold during model years 1993 to 1997, featured a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 15-inch wheels and then somewhat radical “rounded” styling created by Nissan’s California design studio.

The second generation Altima followed in 1998 and was produced through the 2001 model year. Once again designed in California and manufactured in Tennessee, it had more power (155 hp by 2000) and a more responsive driving feel. It also offered a much more comfortable interior, a higher quality feel and additional equipment options. For 2001, the first Limited Edition model was introduced, which would become an important part of Altima’s value pricing strategy in the years that followed.

While the first two generations of Altima laid the foundation — and were very successful compared with the previous Nissan Stanza – the third generation really put Altima on the map (and customer shopping lists).

Third generation
2002 Nissan Altima

Built on an all-new platform, it was produced in model years 2002 through 2006. This new design had up to 18-inch wheels and was the first Altima series to offer a 3.5-liter V6 in addition to its now 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It also featured a larger interior, improved handling and more aggressive styling. With consistently strong reviews by media and consumers alike, Altima helped lead Nissan’s product resurgence in the early part of the new century.

“The concept behind the third generation Altima styling and engineering was simple — stop copying Accord and Camry, as we had been doing, and carve out fresh territory of our own,” explained Castignetti. “We brought the 2002 Altima to market under the banner of ‘The Cure for the Common Sedan,’ letting people know that they could continue to blend in with the crowd, or stand out with Altima’s more aggressive styling and driver-rewarding performance. With this vehicle, Nissan found its own identity in the mid-size sedan segment, which continues to drive its popularity today.”

The 2002 Altima was named “North American Car of the Year,” the first Asian nameplate to win the coveted award voted on by a panel of 50 independent auto writers from the United States and Canada. It was also named 2002 “Best of the Year” by MotorWeek on PBS.

And, for the first time the automotive media deemed that Altima was not only an alternative to the leading mid-size sedans, it was equal to or better than the longstanding sales leaders in the segment. A sporty SE-R model also made an appearance in the lineup in the 2005 model year.

The fourth and current generation Altima design (2007 to present) has far outpaced all of its predecessors, offering more of just about everything – including the addition of a dramatic new Altima Coupe for the 2008 model year. Unlike most coupe models in the class, which merely took their sedan model and removed the rear doors, the Altima Coupe featured unique bodywork from the A-pillar back and was designed inside, out and underneath to offer a more sporty style and performance to match the desires of 2-door Altima buyers.

The special 20th Anniversary Package includes 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, fog lights, rear spoiler, automatic auto on/off headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink Universal Transceiver and additional equipment.