update from Nissan Design Europe (NDE)
 

from their pages:

"Nissan believes the end could be in sight for conventional cars in the compact sector of the market. And if the market share of the traditional hatchback is indeed numbered, its place might well be taken by striking crossover vehicles designed to live a dual life --vehicles like the Nissan Qashqai."

i am assuming they specifically mean "traditional hatchback" only here, as i cannot possibly see the sport compact "market share," like the GT-R, being replaced by a fleet of SUV-types.

but draw your own conclusions:
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/DESIGN/index.html

Qashqai section:
http://www.nissan.co.jp/DESIGN/ENGLI...QAI/index.html

This could apply to the european market only, concidering they currenly have a big hatchback/compact market. I do remember reading somewhere that the European auto market is catching what the American market is experiencing when it comes to SUV's. Maybe this is Europe's answer.

yeah, i can see that being what they could mean. it is the european market catching on late to the suv craze that has been in the states for years. i suppose it's their version of it, albeit updated and new.

so the american market caught on "late" to the whole sport compact car thing, and the euros caught on late to our suv thing.