Nissan to launch 10 vehicles by FY16, mulls GTR

September 25, 2012: Nissan has said it plans to roll out 10 new products for India by FY16 with two models to be launched annually in various segments. In 2013, Nissan will launch an SUV and two new models will be launched under the Datsun brand in 2014 in the entry-level in the hatchback and saloon segments with the first three markets to receive them being India, Indonesia and Russia, according to Toru Hasegawa Corporate Vice President Africa, Middle East and India. He was speaking at the Evalia launch in Delhi.

In line with its Nissan Power 88 strategy, Nissan hopes to garner a marketshare of eight percent globally by FY’16 supported by its sales network. It will roll out 51 new products globally to meet this target with one product launch every 6 weeks.

Hasegawa said to achieve this target it was important to succeed in the BRIC countries for all manufacturers and the emerging marketshare which was 40 percent in 2007 would contribute 60 percent by FY16 towards global sales. India would play a strategic role in this evolving market for Nissan as it grew in sales in the local market from 13,000 units in FY10 to 33,000 units in FY’12. The carmaker plans to hit the 100,000-mark by FY13.

At present, the Nissan Sunny has been bringing in good numbers with sales in the region of about 2,500 a month. The car which completes a year this month has sold 27,000 units.

Meanwhile, Nissan is mulling over the GTR sports car as a prospective model for India to improve its brand image in the country. The sports car sells in some markets globally and Nissan may consider it for India in the long-term, according to Hasegawa.

With the launch of the Evalia, Nissan has entered into the compact MUV segment in India. A seven- seater, the MUV will be available in four trim –XE, XE +, XL and XV with the entry level XE model carrying a price sticker of Rs 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and going upwards to Rs 9.99 lakh for the top end XV variant. Based on Nissan’s global B platform with a monocoque light weight body , the Evalia will have local content of 80 percent and be powered by a 1.5 litre four cylinder K9K diesel engine with a 5-speed gearbox.

According to Takuyuki Ishida, MD and CEO, Nissan Motor India, the carmaker is looking at a sales target of 2,500 cars per month for the Evalia. Some of the future models that will be brought to India could also be on shared platforms between Nissan and Renault. Both companies share components and technologies to bring down costs in the market.

As Nissan rolls out its new products, it will take a decision on reinforcing its production capability at the Renault Nissan plant in Chennai or setting up a new plant. At present, the capacity of the Chennai plant can be stepped upto 4 to 4.5 lakh units per annum.

India is also set to play an important role in Nissan’s plan for export of cars and components. Last year, Nissan exported 100,000 units of the Nissan and Micra and this fiscal it expects to touch 140,000 units.

SHOBHA MATHUR

Photo caption: L-R: Takayuki Ishida, MD, Nissan Motor India, G M Singh, vice-chairman and MD, Hover Automotive India and Toru Hasegawa, corporate VP, Africa, Middle East & India, Nissan Motor Company at the national launch of Nissan Evalia in Delhi.