Nissan rises price of '09 Murano and '08 Sentra (U.S)

Due to the rising prices of steel, Nissan North America has announced that it will be hiking prices on the 2009 Murano SUV and the 2008 Sentra sedan. On top of that, Nissan will also rise the price of destination and handling charges on all 2008 and '09 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. The exception is the Nissan GT-R, which went on sale in the U.S on Monday.

The entry-level 2009 Murano S now starts at $29,250, including a $780 destination charge, with the "interim pricing adjustments," Nissan said in a statement. Previously the 2009 Nissan Murano S started at $28,675, including a $745 destination charge. When the 2009 Murano went on sale in January, Nissan said it was priced $1,500 less than the previous-generation Murano. Pricing on the 2008 Nissan Sentra increases by $135. Previously, the 2008 Sentra S started at $16,930, including a $660 destination charge; now it starts at $17,030, including a $695 destination charge. Can this be a good thing for sellers since the Murano and Sentra are 2 of the most sought after Nissan models?