Nissan is betting big on in the Indian market. It has invested big money (close to a billion dollars) on its Chennai plant. The company’s volume player- the Micra has reached showrooms & advance bookings have already begun with the car slated for a July launch.
Now the next big thing from Nissan will be an entry level sedan based on the Micra platform i.e the V platform. This sedan is in development stage & is internally known as the ‘Affordable Sedan' (code : L02B).
The sedan would share the platform with the Micra hatch which would give Nissan huge cost savings which would result in a competitive price tag. The car will look significantly different from the Micra. It is expected to come with a 1.6 litre XH series petrol engine & a more powerful version of the 1.5 litre K9K diesel engine (from the Logan/Micra). It might also get a CVT option, which the Micra will also receive.
The car would be pitted against established vehicles like the Swift Dzire & Indigo Manza, with certain variants aiming for the Honda City. It could hit the Indian market in the 2nd Quarter of 2011. It would be manufactured in India as well as Thailand, where it might get the same 1.2-liter petrol engine which should make it even cheaper.
This car sounds promising & Nissan needs to get the pricing right to make it a success. Not to forget that Nissan will also be bringing a MPV which will also be based on the V-Platform (next generation Nissan Note).
Stay tuned to IAB for more on that!
