Nissan will focus on premium segments, while Datsun caters to the entry-level segments.
At the sidelines of the 2017 Nissan Terrano's launch yesterday, Nissan has reportedly confirmed plans to introduce 8 new premium cars in India by 2021. The Japanese manufacturer will now focus on premium segments, while Datsun caters to the entry-level segments.
Speaking to ET Auto, Mr Guillaume Sicard, President, Nissan Motor India, said:
Talking about Nissan, it is not positioned in the compact market. We want to bring in slightly upper market SUVs and cars. We want to position Nissan as a high technology brand. No sub-4 meter cars for Nissan, we might have one but will not be our focus. If the sub-4-meter rule still exists we will develop new cars under Datsun brand.
Nissan will finally bring the Nissan X-Trail in its hybrid avatar to the Indian market in the next fiscal. It will be sold as a CBU, so expect a significantly higher price tag than its predecessor. The company also plans to bring the next generation Nissan Leaf EV in India, which will rival the upcoming India-bound Tesla Model 3 and future Mahindra electric vehicles.
One of the most awaited Nissan SUVs is the Kicks. Unlike the model sold in South America, the Kicks for India will reportedly be based on the Terrano/Duster's M0 platform, which will also underpin the India-spec Renault Captur.
Other products may include a next-gen Nissan Terrano coming off the new Duster, the next-gen Nissan Teana and the Nissan Patrol SUV. Once such premium products enter the local portfolio, Nissan may start to phase out the Nissan Micra and Nissan Sunny which are its oldest models today.
[Source: ET Auto]
