Nissan gives a Micra '87 owner the surprise of a lifetime

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Canada – Today, Nissan released video content capturing an extraordinary moment for one of its most loyal customers, Ms. Karen Ackroyd. Some days ago, Karen Ackroyd drove to her local Nissan dealership – Alta Nissan in Woodbridge – to participate in an interview on her experience with her 1987 Nissan Micra. The nature of the interview took a new direction when Karen unexpectedly received the keys to a brand new 2015 Nissan Micra – hand-delivered to her by Christian Meunier, President of Nissan Canada, Inc.

The Nissan Micra was previously sold in Canada between 1985 and 1992. After conducting extensive consumer, product and market research for over three years, Nissan concluded the Micra should return to Canada considering the strong market for what Micra offers – European styling, Japanese quality and unbeatable value. Karen Ackroyd took delivery of her 1987 Nissan Micra in December 1986. When Karen first learned the Micra would be coming back to Canada, she was excited, and felt it was the right vehicle to replace her 1987 model.

"When Micra first launched in Canada in the early 80s, it was touted as having 'major headroom and visibility,' being "fun to drive' and 'the newest and most affordable Nissan.'  Almost three decades later, these traits remain absolutely true for the new Nissan Micra," said Meunier. "It's wonderful to see a dedicated fan of the first Micra model in Canada come full circle. The 2015 model is hugely upgraded in terms of modern amenities, safety and technology features, but the core Micra characteristics are still there."

In the Alta Nissan community, Karen is famous for her '87 Micra and for how well she takes care of it, aptly nicknaming it "Baby." At the time of the new Micra's delivery to Karen, her 1987 Nissan Micra had an odometer reading of over 125,000 kilometers, and staff at all levels of the dealership admired the pristine condition the car was in after 27 years of driving it nearly every day.

"Karen took such great care of her 'Baby' for over 25 years and when she heard we were bringing Micra back to Canada, she told us she would be excited to get behind the wheel of a new one," says Gabriel Paniccia, general manager of Alta Nissan. "We are very appreciative of Karen's loyalty, not only to the brand, and the Alta Nissan dealership, but also to the Micra itself. Therefore, it gives me immense delight to participate in this wonderful surprise for Karen Ackroyd, a long-time member of the Nissan Canada family."

When asked about how Karen managed to have a car from the 80s looking and operating brand-new, Karen's immediate response was, "It's simple: routine maintenance. I cannot stress how important it is to have your oil and filter changed on a regular basis at a certified dealership. If you listen to your dealer, and service your vehicle as-needed, then your car should last! In almost 30 years, my Micra has never given me trouble – never broken down on the road, and I've haven't had an expensive service bill."

The new model Karen received is a 2015 Nissan Micra SV with a manual transmission.

"I believe Karen is going to love the 2015 Micra as much, if not more than, her 1987 Micra," said Meunier. "It was a very special pleasure for me to be the one to personally deliver Karen her 'Baby 2' and start the next chapter in this exceptional customer loyalty story."

For more information on the 2015 Nissan Micra, please visit: Micra9998.ca

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