Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet production "significantly impacted" by quake

The earthquake struck Japan just as Murano CrossCabriolet production was ramping up, and as a result the automaker was able to ship only 40 to 50 vehicles to customers. That's bad news for any new vehicle fresh off a launch, but it's especially damaging to a convertible at the beginning of the summer buying season. With the production of the CrossCabriolet stalled, Nissan likely won't be able to make up volume until fall or later, and convertible sales almost always drop along with the temperature.

The Murano CrossCabriolet delay is bad news for a unique, ultra-niche vehicle that's a bit of a risk in terms of function and price. After all, there aren't many Nissan models that start at $47,190, and there no other crossover coupes with a stowable top.

Hopefully, Nissan can jump-start production of the Murano CrossCabriolet before it's too late, if only to give Nissan's topless gamble a fair shot at success.