Nissan, one of the three major car manufacturers in the Japanese market, is making plans to fabricate a compact car made completely in the Indian market. Nissan’s Indian arm, Nissan Motor India, is speedily fortifying its research and development (R&D) division for the reason.
International firms comprising Toyota and Ford, and Indian market giant Maruti Suzuki have already done this with products made chiefly in the Indian market. Work on models like the Etios Liva, Etios, Figo and Ertiga, respectively, was accomplished in the nation, keeping Indian users in intellect.
Mr. Takayuki Ishida, managing director and chief executive, Nissan Motor India, stated that they have already hired 3,000 individuals for the research and development (R&D) division.
And, a few of the workforce is formulating that vehicle for users together with the company’s technical centre. Their existing ability permits them to build up some ingredients of the car. They are capable of doing slight modifications in the car at the present. Step by step, their potentialities will step-up.
The company’s entry-level car in the domestic market right now is the premium hatchback Micra valued at Rs 4.21 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Nissan possesses six products on offer, comprising three completely imported vehicles.
Earlier this year, the company made declaration about the launching of a novel brand Datsun in the year 2014. It would be an affordable brand serving clients in the Rs 2-4 lakh cost group. The company will stay a relatively premium brand in the country.
“I can not speak particularly about this but by the coming 4 to 5 years when the research and development (R&D) capacity dramatically amends, I think we have a chance (to make that car). We can anticipate some growth from the R&D group, making use of the country’s data, for a compact product. At the moment, we have not finished the studies regarding it but, potentially, I think we have an excellent chance,” added Mr. Ishida.
Products set up in the Indian market have confirmed to be top sellers not just in the Indian market but in overseas markets in addition. The Etios from Toyota Kirloskar Motor, for example, is on course to market 20,000 vehicle units in the South African market by 2012 end even as the company prepares to start shipments to the Brazillian market.
Likewise, Ford Figo, the entry-level hatchback made in Chennai is shipped to South Africa, North Africa and Mexico amongst 50 abroad markets. Ford, the US-based car manufacturer that has manufacturing plants in several regions of the world, makes the Figo only in the Indian market.
Nissan is seeing related victory with the innovative small car. The Japanese firm, which currently exports two-thirds of its production from India, is also talking about making India a larger base for production and export.
“We have a positive chance to turn India the manufacturing base. We require thinking on developing the Indian market, how we can please India’s rising demand and even outer demand from India,” added Mr. Ishida.
Ishida stated that both Renault and Nissan, which make use of one another’s expertise for car fabrication and model selection, could also use research and development resources for the novel compact car in the coming time.
It is, but, not comprehensible if the novel car would be sold under the Nissan or the Datsun badge.
