First Datsun product to debut in Indonesia at IIMS 2013

The annual Indonesian International Motor Show is the Auto Expo of Indonesia. Every year, auto makers launch new products, showcase future cars, concept cars and make big announcements at the show pertaining to that region.

This year is going to be a pretty special one as it is learnt that Honda's Brio based MPV is likely to premiere there. Renault will announce its re-entry into the archipelago with the India-made Duster and that isn't the only bit of action from the Renault-Nissan alliance at this year's edition.

According to a report on Otomotif Kompas, Nissan's low cost Datsun brand will launch in Indonesia at IIMS 2013, scheduled between September 19-29.

Kintaro Izumida, President Director of Nissan Motor Indonesia -

Datsun will be introduced at the IIMS (2013)! Sales begin early next year.

Datsun, as a low-cost car brand, was brought back to serve first time car buyers in India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa. The relaunch of the brand will be held in July in New Delhi in the presence of Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. The group then has to find suitable occasions to launch the brand in Russia and Indonesia. For Indonesia, one needn't look beyond IIMS 2013 to get the word out.

Indian engineers, led by Gerard Detourbet, the father of the low cost car and the creator of the Dacia Logan, are developing two core Datsun products at the Renault-Nissan Technology and Business Center India in Chennai. The first product, I2, is a rival to the Maruti Alto and the Hyundai Eon. The second car, codenamed K2, positioned in the B segment, is based on the V-Platform. It has the Maruti Wagon R and the Hyundai i10 in its sight.

Another V-Platform based vehicle is also believed to be in the embryonic development stages, with seats for seven occupants. These vehicles are part of the ten launches Nissan has planned for India up till FY2016.

The first Datsun will hit Indian roads in 2014.

[Source - otomotif.kompas.com via TheCarDriving.com]