Nissan to launch 10 vehicles in India by FY16

Nissan says it plans to roll out 10 new products for India by FY16 with two models to be launched annually in various segments.

In 2013, the carmaker will launch an SUV and two new models, under the Datsun brand in 2014, in the entry-level in the hatchback and saloon segments. The first three markets to receive them will be India, Indonesia and Russia, according to Toru Hasegawa corporate VP, Africa, Middle East and India.

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 six weeks.

Hasegawa says to achieve this target it is vital 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 its sales grew 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 Sunny is selling around 2,500 units a month. The car, which completes a year this month in India, has sold a total of 27,000 units.

High localisation for Evalia

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 levels – XE, XE +, XL and XV – with the entry level XE model priced at Rs 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) while the top-end XV variant costs Rs 9.99 lakh.

Based on Nissan’s global B platform with a monocoque lightweight body, the Evalia has a local content of 80 percent and be powered by a 1.5- litre four- cylinder K9K diesel engine and mated to a five-speed gearbox. According to Takuyuki Ishida, MD and CEO, Nissan Motor India, the carmaker is targeting sales of 2,500 Evalias a month.

SHOBHA MATHUR