The Toyota Innova shows no signs of slowing down, aging or fatigue. Despite more affordable options and slightly upmarket products there for the taking, there seems to be no better alternative to the Innova for the Indian MPV buyer.
But in 2012, that might change with the entry of the Nissan NV200 in India. We spotted the NV200 testing in Chennai a couple of months back with no camouflage. The vehicle’s rear resembles the Maruti Eeco and has enough cabin space to hold a football tournament.
The NV200 will be brought out under the Ashok Leyland-Nissan alliance. While Nissan will sell upmarket mini trucks and vans in India, Ashok Leyland will focus on lower segments.
General Motors is bracing for the launch of Chinese LCVs in India, while Ford and Changan are toying with a similar idea. Autocar India reported Mahindra is working on a stylish MPV as well and seeing all this I’m sure Force Motors, Tata Motors, Skoda and Volkswagen won’t stay silent for long. The MPV segment is going to be crowded with all these players, and that could mean bad news for Toyota and its Innova.
While returning from the supermarket after picking up groceries, I noticed a gray color van in traffic at the entrance leading to Mount Road here in Chennai. It wasn’t camouflaged and nothing was unusual about it. I assumed it belonged to one of the consulates stationed here as they regularly use imported vans from their countries for commuting.
Until I check the number plate.
And the “On Test” sign stuck in the middle of the rear windshield.
I down-shifted, hit the gas and moved near the van. With less than 40 horsepower on tap, I tried extracting as much as I could from the car in an attempt to out run him.
On closer inspection I figured this was the Nissan NV200 that was spotted last year several times roaming on outskirts of Chennai. I quickly took out my camera but a Ford Fiesta swerved in front me, slowed down and stopped at the signal which hadn’t yet turned orange.
Despite looking frantically for it after the signal turned green, I knew I was fighting a losing battle. So I head back home in dismay, it was a lost opportunity to bring a future car to the homepage of Indian Autos Blog.
Are there any secret joint ventures or partnerships between Nissan and Ford in India for “miscellaneous purposes” that you know of?
If you have spotted this vehicle and have pictures of it, why not get in touch with me at notjustshrawan (at) gmail.com
Entry posted on September 13, 2008 by
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Nissan
With IT companies demanding the maximum working hours from their employers, it is time to enter the next generation of automobiles. Nissan has come up with a cool concept car in which you can literally live in, er but its got no lavatory! More pics and info after the break
The Toyota Innova shows no signs of slowing down, aging or fatigue. Despite more affordable options and slightly upmarket products there for the taking, there seems to be no better alternative to the Innova for the Indian MPV buyer.
