On the eve of the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan has confirmed plans to offer the next generation Micra in the United States. The new, yet-to-be-named model will slot in below the Versa (the Micra is nearly two-feet shorter than Nissan's entry-level hatch) and will be built atop Nissan's new low-cost "V" architecture.

The new model will be build at five of Nissan's plants around the world and will be equipped with a three-cylinder engine putting out an undisclosed amount of power. Three variants will be available – a four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and an MPV-like vehicle – all in an effort to sell one million "V" platform units globally each year. Nissan hasn't disclosed when the next generation Micra will go on sale globally – or more specifically, in the States – but expect the sub-compact runabout to hit U.S. shores sometime in 2011 or 2012.