Nissan Magnite Launch Delayed To January 2021

Nissan Magnite launch was scheduled for August 2020 ahead of the festive season this year. However, the disruptions in production due to the prolonged lockdown in the country has changed the scenario. The Japanese carmaker will now introduce their compact SUV in January 2021.

Meanwhile, Renault will stick to their schedule of Kiger production and now launch the compact SUV first, prior to the festive season in India. Renault’s management has been firm with the Kiger’s launch plans. Nissan missed their manufacturing window and the schedule can’t be moved. Both the compact SUVs will be produced in the same plant.

Nissan is betting big on their compact SUV Magnite. They want to get it right because that’s the only product that could get volumes for the company. Until the Magnite comes to the market, they will only have the Nissan Kicks on sale.

With an expected starting price of Rs. 5.25 lakhs (ex-showroom) and long list of segment first features on offer, the Magnite was expected to disrupt the segment. Nissan is planning to give multiple engine and gearbox options to grab a bigger pie in the market share of compact SUVs.

Now with the Renault Kiger coming first, the French automaker is expected to cash in on the opportunity of getting their compact SUV first. It will have some segment first features too and might bring in decent volumes as demand for automobiles is expected to rise during the festive season in India.