India is the next flocking destination for auto makers in the world and some of
them are working on their joint ventures in spite of possible cultural and professional
differences. A recent one is Nissan from Japan and Ashok Leyland from India. Both
the joint venture partners have at least their Asian cultural common factor and both
are working towards new ventures for the Indian market.
Nissan and Ashok Leyland are both working towards developing a new MPV to
compete with Toyota Innova. "We are launching a new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV)
in joint venture with Ashok Leyland. The MPV model will be launched in line with the
market leader Toyota Innova in 2012," Nissan Motor India Managing Director & CEO
Kiminobu Tokuyama said at the Nissan Micra Diesel launch.
Nissan is planning to invest Rs 2200 crores in India but the time frame for the same
has yet not been finalised. Nissan and Ashok Leyland have already shed their plans
for developing a sub-compact together for the Indian market. The Hinduja Group of
Companies Co-Chairman Gopichand P Hinduja clarified that they have no plans to
enter in the small car market as it is saturated with players and products.
