2009 Nissan GT-R to make North American debut November 16th.

LA Times

The 2009 Nissan GT-R will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto show on November 16. This is just shortly after it will make its world debut in Japan at the Tokyo motor show. Don't expect to see the 2009 GT-R on sale in the US until around June 2008.

Nissan's GT-R, a much-talked-about concept sports car whose production version is hitting American showrooms next year as well, will make its first appearance in Tokyo in October.

Frankfurt, Tokyo and Detroit are widely regarded as the three most important car shows in the world, each serving different corners of the planet. But California is one of the largest markets and where trends start, says Jan Thompson, Nissan North America's vice president of marketing.

The GT-R, for example, is aimed at Japanese import enthusiasts who put a premium on affordable performance and the ability to upgrade their cars with aftermarket parts.

"Now, we can focus on the import turf that is the West Coast," she says. "We don't have to split our efforts" between Detroit and Los Angeles within a span of weeks.