The week we tested the Nissan Xterra we had two snow storms and one ice storm. I was grateful that all I had to do to gain confidence in the Xterra's traction was to reach down to the rotary switch on the dash and turn it from 2WD to 4WD HI. The Xterra handled all that Mother Nature threw at us that week and did it well.

This comfortable rough-road performance is somewhat mitigates by a rocky on-road performance. While the Xterra is designed primarily for off-roading, it's on-roading performance isn't anything to write home about.

Nissan, Japan's third-largest automaker, announced a series of steps Monday to deal with the eco nomic downturn, including slashing its workforce by 20,000. The cost-cutting measures makes Nissan the latest among the country's carmakers to take drastic action in the face of a worsening financial outlook. The job reductions will bring down Nissan's head count from 235,000 to 215,000.

The company also said it is eliminating bonuses for its board of directors. And until its financial situation improves, it is reducing board members' salaries by 10%.

Dubai - United Arab Emirates: Arabian Automobiles, the exclusive dealer for Nissan, Infiniti and Renault vehicles in Dubai and the Northern Emirates this week introduces an updated and improved 2009 version of the Nissan Xterra SUV at the Sharjah International Auto Show (18-22 November, Expo Centre, Sharjah, UAE).

On sale across the Middle East since September 2007 the Nissan Xterra was designed with the intent of being a tough, essential SUV designed to inspire and facilitate outdoor enthusiasts' active lifestyles. All 2009 Xterras now boast:

Nissan North America Inc. has reached its goals for voluntary buyouts at its Smyrna and Decherd manufacturing plants, the company announced today.

Technicians and salaried employees at the two plants were offered a buyout plan to separate from the company with a lump sum payment plus medical and car purchase benefits and, for those who qualified, retirement benefits on July 30.

...When gas prices topped $4 a gallon this summer, consumers dropped gas-guzzling SUVs like the Nissan Xterra (17 mpg), as sales plummeted 29.1% from January to October, compared with same period in 2007. The Xterra falls to sixth place among the worst-performing vehicles, as there have been three recalls on the car so far this year, not to mention its below-average performance in crash ratings in side (marginal) and rear (poor) tests, as well as its mediocre three-star resale value.

Like every other truck manufacturer, Nissan isn't pleased with the cards it's been dealt by $4-per-gallon gas prices. The small SUV segment alone is down by 30 percent compared with this time last year, and that speaks volumes about the impact of fuel costs. But Nissan intends to stay the course, insisting that the truck market is viable and likely to rebound, so the company aims to gobble up its share by trimming and tailoring its offerings.