Nissan launched its second ‘made-in-India’ car in the domestic market, midsize sedan Sunny, with an aggressive pricing strategy. The petrol version is available at a starting price of R 5.78 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) and the top-end model at R7.68 lakh. The company claims 16.5 km per litre mileage for the car.
While expanding its product portfolio, Nissan sets its eyes firmly on the low-cost car project. Despite uncertainties regarding the future of the ultra low-cost car project of Bajaj and Renault-Nissan alliance, Giles Normand, corporate vice-president, Nissan Motor, said the company would launch a low-cost small car.
“Almost 45% of the Indian market belongs to the cars below Micra. If we want to be a reasonable player in the market we have to get into this segment. We will have a low cost car some point in time,” said Normand.
About the status of the alliance with Bajaj for small car, he said, “Till we say otherwise the tripartite alliance very much exists”. “We have been holding discussions with them. Our next announcement regarding the project will be a joint announcement. It will take place soon.”
Nissan is also expanding its sales network in India. From the current 45 sales outlets, the company will expand to 100 outlets by March 2013, covering 85% of the market. Globally, Nissan aims 8% marketshare by 2016, with 51 new product launches and 90 new technologies in their product offerings.
Normand said Nissan’s export from India will cross 100,000 units this fiscal. The company will mostly export Micra, while it will export Sunny towards the end of fiscal year.
