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.
