Nissan is all set to field its contender in the mid-sized sedan segment of the market with three-box car based on the Micra platform in India. Nissan Motor Limited, Japan announced on Wednesday that the car will roll out by December this year. Nissan Motor India Private Limited managing director Kiminobu Tokuyama said this after inaugurating a brand new Nissan dealership in the city of Vadodara.
The Nissan global car is called ‘Sunny’ in certain markets of the world. The car which will be based on the Micra platform will be manufactured at Nissan’s Chennai based manufacturing plant. Nissan’s India portfolio includes the Micra, X-Trail and the Teana. With the addition of a mid-sized sedan to its Indian portfolio, Nissan will complete its product rang from small cars to premium segment saloons in the country. Nissan India also plans to introduce enter the MPV vehicles segment with a new product that will be manufactured through a collaboration with Ashok Leyland.
“The new global sedan will be based on the same platform as that of Micra and will be built from our existing plant at Chennai. Next year, we are planning to come out with our first multi-purpose vehicle through our joint venture with Ashok Leyland,” said Tokuyama.
The Nissan Micra hasn’t been doing well, a high price and lack of dealer penetration being the root causes. Now, Nissan plans to increase its dealer network in the country from 36 to more than 100 by 2013. Nissan also hopes to double the sales of the Micra during this year. The company has sold 13000 units of the compact hatchback till March 2011.
The Nissan Sunny could be priced in the Rs 7 -9 lakh bracket and could also feature a diesel engine. The 1.5 DCi Common Rail Diesel Engine tuned for use in the sedan could be lined-up by the company. The Nissan Sunny will join the Ford Fiesta and the Hyundai Verna out of which the Verna has already been launched with the launch of the new Fiesta still impending.
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