Nissan Announces Datsun Brand In India

Nissan would be announcing a strategic initiative soon. We are at the event which is taking place at Taj Lands End in Mumbai and will update you with all the details, live from the floor. Stay tuned. Meanwhile you can speculate what could it be?

Points From The Press Conference

Nissan to target 8% market share and 8% sustainable profits by 2016
Growth strategy called Power 88
Main growth due to V-platform sedan
Globally sold 2,84,000 units of the Sunny
Second line of operations started in Chennai to increase capacity
Datsun to return
High growth markets like India to drive sale numbers
New car demand in India is powerful
Growth coming from first time buyers
Datsun will have local production
Datsun merged with Nissan in 1933 (after World War 1)
Separate line-up of cars in Datsun and Nissan
Datsun cars will be locally engineered
Target segment is the below Rs. 4 lakh segment
Other markets will be Indonesia and Russia
Products will be market specific
Market introduction to happen in India, Indonesia and Russia in 2014
Two models within first year (i.e. 2014)
Datsun cars to offer engaging drive experience, accessibility and peace of mind
Datsun cars to be light in weight, aiding in handing and fuel economy
Positioned towards first time car buyers, second hand car buyers and 2-wheeler buyers
In Indonesia, Datsun launch will be part of the Green car program, accounting for 40% of the Indonesia market
Product line to be announced later
First two products to be produced at company’s facility at Orgadam, near Chennai
Maybe later Datsun will have a plant of its own
Datsun is said to be already working on the two products for a while now (speculation – could it be the Bajaj ULC?)
Ashok Leyland could be a strategic partner (unconfirmed)
Products to be country specific. Locally made and locally engineered
Nissan will be handling the management
Nissan plant capacity has been increased to 4 lakh units (from the earlier 2 lakh units)