Nissan’s First Made in India Car Next Year

December 25, 2009, 10:10 IST by Satish Kalepu

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Nissan Motors had earlier announced that it will launch its small car model in India next year. The new Nissan Micra is ready to hit the Indian roads by July 2010 and it will be rolled out from its Chennai manufacturing unit. It will be the first ‘made in India’ car in Nissan's product portfolio. Nissan Micra is currently being manufactured in the UK but now the company has developed a new global platform for its small car models. New Nissan Micra 2010 will be manufactured on this new V-platform which has been especially developed for the emerging markets.

Nissan will use its Chennai unit to cater to not only the domestic demand but also use it as an export hub for Africa, Middle East and other emerging markets. The new manufacturing unit at Chennai will be operational by May 2010 and will be the sourcing hub for the European markets as well. Cars developed on the new platform can also be modified and made more sophisticated for the developed markets.

Nissan is gradually expanding its base in the Indian market and intends to add 55 dealerships to its current network in India. It currently sells its cars Taena and X-Trail in India which have failed to generate volumes for the company owing to their high price. Both the models are currently being imported as completely built units which attract 100% import duty. Now Nissan is contemplating its options of importing CKD unit to India and assembling these models locally in the country to reduce cost.

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The only vehicles, after going through Nissan websites around world, I liked the Nissan are X-trail and Qashqai. Nissan killed X-trail by pricing it very wrongly even though company is happy with response, it's potential was immense possibally thousands per month. I think now Nissan don't have an excuse for not pricing properly as their plant getting commissioned. If Nissan prices wrongly any products, then nobody looses as much as Nissan can loose. It's upto them, they want stay and committ in long run or here for a narrow and short journey..??

December 26, 2009 by Sudhindra

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DUALIS as known in Australia is otherwise called as Qashqai is a good looking SUV. Why not introduce it in India as completely knock down units to skip 100% import tax with all variants including automatic transmission. But make sure one can buy it in India for a maximum cost of 15 lakhs onroad price. Then wait and see the response from the public which will be unbelievable.

December 26, 2009 by Rajan Baby

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Nissan, Launch the previous model of X-trail at 12 to 13 lakhs 2WD.

December 25, 2009 by Gavi

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The Latest X-trail looks uglier than the previous model. I am not impressed at all.

December 25, 2009 by Sid

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Qashqai is good looking Nissan and comes with a good diesel, Better they manufacture instead CKD. @10 lakhs it is welcome.

December 25, 2009 by Veeer

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We welcome that latest Qashqai rather CKD of launched vehicles which are flopped. Let the price be very realistic rather explotive.

December 25, 2009 by MaN

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