With Nissan's Expansion of Nismo as a sub-brand, they have announced the new subdivision this weekend: Autech. The latest sub-brand will focus on a combination of sport styles with a greater attention to higher quality craftsmanship and materials. Autech brand vehicles are being developed in Japan, with no intention of bringing them to the States.

Nissan specified a desire to fill this particular niche, though this is the first time they are directing these desires under a single brand. Nissan has marketed cars that have been modified by Autech in the past. such as Axis, Rider, and Bolero.

We have heard previously about Nissan's intention to commit to the Nismo sub-brand with a road-car development division called Nismo Cars Business Department. This department is part of Autech itself, and until now it has been unclear why Nissan didn't utilize Autech for road car development. Now it seems they have a more premium plan for them: Focusing on performance vehicles.

All Autech cars will be based on regular Nissan road cars. To give us a taste of what that would be like, Nissan revealed the Serena Autech, a performance minivan (that might be the first time I've ever written those words together).

Pricing and specs on the Serena Autech remain unknown, as well as any upcoming vehicles to come from Autech. Stay tuned for what will come of Autech's new designation.