Nissan set to raise India pitch with a slew of launches

Japanese auto major Nissan plans to launch a range of new cars including an entry-level sedan to compete with the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and compact SUV based on alliance partner Renault Duster to garner more volumes in India.

'We will need more products and it would be across segments,' said Takayuki Ishida, managing director and CEO, Nissan India. 'We are very interested in the SUV segment and have many options globally. But cost is important in India and hence the Duster platform is one of the options. An entry-level sedan is also a possibility...maybe based on the Micra.'

Though the company has been present in India since 2005, it is only after the launch of its small car Micra in 2010 that its fortunes have turned. Nissan's sales grew by over 150% in 2011-12 to 33,000 units and sales in the current year so far have grown by over 137% to 14,253 units. Even then, its numbers compare unfavourably with other Japanese manufacturers like market leader Maruti Suzuki, Toyota or even Honda.

'Our main focus right now is to keep growing our volumes and scale and get more marketshare in India,' said Ishida. 'So we will look at all possibilities of bringing in new products.'

Nissan currently sells five cars in India and is readying its first multi-utility vehicle Evalia, for a launch before the festive season. By 2014, it will also roll out atleast two cars from its recently revitalised Datsun brand.

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