Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. has enjoyed a successful run in India, with booming sales and prestigious award for its commitment to quality. The company has participated at the auto show for the first time and introduced a new vehicle on the first day of the Delhi Auto Expo 2012, called Evalia that has been made in India, for India.
The Nissan Evalia, which is an award-winning seven-seater, has been introduced by the Japanese manufacturer in India to attract families. This first urban-class Utility Vehicle (UV) has versatile interiors, along with numerous sophisticated features like intelligent key and rear view camera. In spite of being a powerful car, it promises the best fuel economy in its segment.
With the launch of this car, Nissan has reflected that it has positive hopes from India. Earlier launches like Micra and Sunny had already enhanced the market image of the car maker. Nissan Evalia would be manufactured at the company’s Chennai plant and would soon be available for buyers. Apart from locally manufactured vehicles, Nissan has introduced various imported cars, which includes the likes of 370Z sports car, X-TRAIL SUV and premium sedan Teana.
Although Nissan is a newcomer in India, it has been successful in impressing auto aficionados in the country, thereby gaining higher sales revenue. In FY 2010, the company sold 13,000 units in India and it expects to reach 40,000 units in 2011. Till date, Auto Expo 2012, although these are not on sale in India. The main reason behind displaying models like multi-award winning zero-emission electric Nissan LEAF, Nissan GT-R and Compact Sports Concept (CSC) is to show the level of innovation present in every Nissan vehicle.
CSC is a concept model that would go into production in coming times; it is aimed at the youths in India. Although, it has links with Nissan Micra, it is a small sporting three hatchback, which has a unique look.
LEAF and GT-R are the two cars which are currently in production. Both of them differ in terms of design and performance, but possess the same Nissan DNA. The GT-R, which has an advanced four-wheel chassis, is loaded with twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 engine, which delivers 500 bhp power. In Germany, around the famed Nurburgring race circuit, it is the fastest production car.
Nissan LEAF, a family sedan, is equipped with a battery-powered electric engine with zero emissions. The performance figures of LEAF are amazing, providing stiff competition to its rivals. This purely electric vehicle has received the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year awards.
“We want to show India the depth of Nissan’s global offering. Although neither LEAF nor GT-R is currently available in the country, we feel the chance to see two of the most remarkable cars on sale anywhere in the world is something visitors will not want to miss,” said Normand.
“As to whether LEAF and/or GT-R will ever be sold in India, all I can say is that we are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating marketing plans. What I can confirm is that we are committed to launching a growing range of innovative and exciting models in India over the coming months and years – there is a lot more to come from Nissan.”
Founded in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1933, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd has 31 manufacturing plants across 16 countries. It has made its presence felt in more that 190 countries with its exclusive range of light commercial vehicles, SUVs and pick-up trucks. With a strength of 1,51,430 professionals, the company has successfully sold 4 million vehicles in 2010. Nissan has been developing fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles, which has enhanced its image across the globe.
For Indian operations, a 100% subsidiary of Nissan Motor Limited Japan was formed in 2005 by the name of Nissan Motor India Private Ltd. (NMIPL). Together with its global partner Renault, Nissan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu in February 2008 to set up a manufacturing plant at Oragadam, near Chennai investing Rs. 4500 crores.
After a groundbreaking ceremony in June 2008, the plant was inaugurated on March 17, 2010. For handling dealer development, sales and marketing, after-sales and customer relationship in India, NMIPL has entered into strategic alliance with Hover Automotive India (HAI).
