What MICRA Means to Me
Freedom. Peace. A childhood dream come true.
For six of our model owners, the Nissan MICRA isn’t just a car. It’s a character in the story of their lives; a reliable sidekick, a family passion project, and in one case, a bookshelf and Christmas tree transporter!
As Nissan gears up for the release of the all-new MICRA, we turn the spotlight on customers who’ve turned everyday drives into extraordinary memories and moments since the model’s launch in 1982. From employees to brand fans of all ages from across Europe, they have their own unique tales to tell of why MICRA is a name that means so much to them.
Yağmur Toprak, 24, Social Media Content Producer, Turkey:
Yagmur’s story isn’t only one of nostalgia, but one of determination. Inspired by the MICRA’s fuel efficiency, performance and practicality for city living, Yagmur worked diligently to make owning her own MICRA a reality. Her customised model – compact, cute, and undeniably unique – has become an icon in her community and online through @benyagmuurrr.
“I drive a 2005 Nissan MICRA Tekna. It’s not just a car – it’s freedom on four wheels, a symbol of peace, and a childhood dream come true. From the moment I saw the MICRA, I knew: This is the one!” Yagmur also loves how it is “incredibly practical, especially on narrow streets and for city driving”.
For Yagmur, every ride in her MICRA carries meaning. “The sense of peace I feel the moment I take the wheel… it’s hard to put that feeling into words.” And when she saw the all-new MICRA? “I literally said, Wow! It looks like something straight out of my dreams!”
Roy Hurst, 51, Aftersales Operations Manager at Nissan, UK:
For Roy, a Nissan employee, the Nissan MICRA K10 is a memory, a milestone, and a member of the family.
After being drawn to a 1990 MICRA Monaco Edition on Facebook Marketplace, the same edition his mother-in-law once owned, Roy acted fast: within an hour he was on-site, and within ten minutes, a deposit was down and it was part of the family.
Nicknamed Monika – a combination of “Monaco” and “MICRA”, the car was in remarkably good condition for its age. Now fully restored, recreated, and refreshed, Monika stands as a rolling tribute to a cherished family legacy. “The icon lives on,” Roy proclaims, “and will never be sold.”
Camilla Gottlieb, 47, Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing Assistant, Denmark:
Camilla’s story is steeped in laughter, practicality and unapologetic style.
“My 2006 MICRA C+C just spoke to me. That car was so very me – a real mum car! It’s reliable, and despite being old, it starts every time. I LOVE opening the roof and feeling the wind in my hair. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.”
From transporting a “somewhat long bookshelf” amidst a chilly Scandinavian downpour, to bringing home the “most beautiful tree” for a tall-ceilinged Christmas, Camilla’s MICRA has shown that 19 years on the roads and over 288,000km is no barrier to a little magic.
Camilla’s model is known as Micra C+C (Convertible & Coupé) because it has a metal roof that opens by folding itself into a dedicated storage area. It has also shown its versatility and resilience, whether guiding her on the morning commute or providing room for her two daughters to ride along too. As Camilla proudly confirms, “in a funny way, this little car has become a reflection of who I am and where I am in life. It might be small, but it’s determined. And just like me, it refuses to be beaten down!”
Knud Kristiansen, 75, Building Appraiser, Denmark:
For Knud, his 2017 Nissan MICRA Acenta wasn’t a planned purchase, but when a friend offered him this demo car, “it was love at first sight”. Eight years and 435,000 kilometres later, it’s safe to say he’s still in love!
As a building appraiser, Knud drives across Europe for his work – including 34 trips to Italy – meaning that his MICRA has become an essential travel companion. “The excitement I have for this car cannot be over exaggerated. My love and joyful experience driving this car is so big that even my wife cannot get a place behind the steering wheel!” he boldly announces.
Knud keeps his MICRA spotless with a weekly ritual of cleaning, which is why clients still ask if it’s new. And whenever he spots MICRAs abroad, he's met with smiles and conversations: “All the owners seem to be happy to see it.”
So what happens when it’s finally time to change cars? Knud already has a plan: “If and when it’s time to move on from my lovely car, I’ve researched where to find a MICRA that’s identical. The MICRA will always have a special place in my heart.”
Emilia Viinamäki, 26, Nurse, Finland:
From bidding against herself in an auction, to styling her Nissan MICRA K12 in a wash of pink and glitter, Emilia’s MICRA story was kickstarted with a car that had “an appearance that made me smile and reminded me of a retro car game… Real confidence isn’t scared of pink and diamonds”, she laughs.
“I’ve cried, laughed and taken naps in my MICRA. It’s a second home. I love to drive alone, singing at full volume, feeling that rush of goodness when people smile at my modifications. There’s no amount I wouldn’t spend on its repairs. Even if it broke into million pieces, I would glue it back together piece by piece”.
And the all-new MICRA? “It’s hands down the best-looking electric car I’ve ever seen, in the cutest, most charming way possible.”
Michael Wanless, 62, Supply Chain Management at Nissan, UK:
Michael has driven his K12 2005 MICRA since it was first released. He’s certainly no stranger to Nissan, having worked at the Sunderland Plant since production began there in 1986.
Michael loves to use his MICRA for “commuting and weekend activities like the garden centre”, praising it as “cheap to run and easy to drive”. One unforgettable trip in it? During a long weekend in the Lake District, Michael “befriended a local farmer who had a large litter of border collie puppies ready to go – I arrived back home with one of my own in the back of my MICRA!”
And the new MICRA? He hasn’t driven it yet, but says it “looks really impressive” – and he loves that “it’s all-electric too”.
Unforgettable experiences, now in all-electric
From pink sparkles to convertible Christmas trees, these stories are genuine and full of life – just like the MICRA itself.
Now with the all-new, all-electric MICRA, a new chapter begins – one powered by innovation, individuality and the same spirit that's connected generations of drivers since 1982. Because no matter how the road evolves, the joy of driving a MICRA never gets old.
Looking to gain a glimpse of the all-new MICRA in action? Watch below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcQ25_hwIJQ&t=5s.
Or for the full details, check it out here: https://micra.nissan.co.uk/.