We've predicted it for a while now. A Nissan official wouldn't deny it. And another in-the-know contact said it was "all but 100% confirmed" that the next gen version of Nissan's box on wheels will come to the US. Nissan took a well-advised wait-and-see attitude toward the Scion xB, nobody really knowing how well American buyers would take to this type of product. Take to it we have, the first generation xB outselling the Euro-fashioned xA, even though Toyota thought it would be the other way around. The current Japanese domestic market Cube is wider and generally larger than that first xB, more similar in dimension to just-launched-for-'08 version, and a bit smaller than a Honda Element. Cube has been a strong seller in Japan, Nissan worldwide design director noting that it is "both a practical and spacious transportation piece and an expressive design" that commuters and enthusiasts alike have embraced. It is offered in several different special models, with many options, and in lots of interesting colors. There's no question that low-cost personalization has been a big part of the xB's success in the US, and there's no reason to think Nissan won't offer the Cube with the same notions in mind. It's a square-rigged spin on the PT Cruiser and Chevy HHR, although as a new entry, it needs to be priced competitively. Is America ready for another box car? I suspect we're going to find out.

read full blog blogs.motortrend.com