Local assemblers Tan Chong were losing the low-cost market to local upstart Proton in the mid-1980s (by 1986, Nissan sales in Malaysia were down 90 percent from their peak a few years earlier). To revive their fortunes, Tan Chong attempted to reposition the brand as "upmarket standard," taking on brands such as Honda. As a result, the U12 Bluebird was priced much higher than the preceding generation, and was also available with more equipment and in a more powerful, fuel injected 2-litre Super Select model. The 1974 cc CA20E engine produces at 5600 rpm. There was also a carburetted 1.8 SE model available, equipped with the CA18NS engine.