Lawyers representing Nissan have written to more than 20 specialist importers warning them that importing new vehicles from Japan, particularly the new GT-R, is an infringement of the company’s trademark rights.

The GT-R went on sale in Japan this month, and is due to be launched in the UK in 2009 with an allocation of around 4-500 units per year. As a specialist vehicle, it requires investment in equipment and training for dealers which has yet to be completed.

Nissan Motor GB Limited managing director Gary Frigo said: “Nissan’s number one priority is to ensure that the GT-R and its dealer network are in optimal condition to facilitate and support our customers. It will take until start of sales in March 2009 to do this.

“Until that time the UK will have no GT-R trained technicians, no established GT-R parts supply and, most crucial of all, the GT-R will not be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.”

The company is not clamping down on personal imports.