You Can Now Test Drive a Toyota at a Nissan Dealership in US

As the saying goes, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. Nissan USA has practiced this strategy to a whole new level. 

Apparently, the firm is so confident about their Rogue SUV (X-Trail here) that they will be offering its main competitor, the Toyota RAV4 for test drives at Nissan dealerships. Nissan USA expects half of its 1,094 dealerships to accept the challenge. The rented RAV4s will be provided at no cost to the dealerships. 

Having your competitor’s product next to yours is a bold strategy, but does it work? J.D. Power’s VP of Power Information Network, Tyson Jominy has his reservations. “The risk is that Nissan will indirectly contribute to selling more Toyota RAV4s. A percentage of customers are inevitably going to value the differences between the models differently than expected,” he said. 

The 4-month long strategy is said to be the “most robust marketing campaign in Nissan’s history”. Nissan’s VP of Sales and Regional Operations, Judy Wheeler, is optimistic about the campaign. “We know that when consumers check out the all-new Nissan Rogue side by side with the Toyota RAV4, they will be amazed by our standard, advanced technology, premium design… and, most of all, outstanding overall value,” she said.

After being informed of the campaign, Toyota said they were ‘flattered’. “We are confident their dealers and customers will appreciate the quality, value, versatility and safety features that have made the RAV4 the number one-selling (compact) SUV in the United States”, said Toyota USA’s chief of sales, Bob Carter.

When you are buying a car, do you test out a competing product/brand? Or are you a loyalist who wouldn’t go for anything else other than your favourite marque? Share with us!