JOIN USJapanese automobile manufacturing behemoth Nissan, one of the younger carmakers in India, has committed to introduce eight new models in the country by 2021.
The said model offensive will be across the two brands — Nissan and Datsun — that the company retails in India, as part of a well-formulated two-pronged brand strategy, and will largely be domestically manufactured.
Talking to DH, Nissan Motor India Managing Director Arun Malhotra said, “We are focused towards the Indian market. Our commitment towards India is that by 2021, we will have eight new models across segments. The new spread will commence with the all-new X-Trail Hybrid SUV which will be coming up around the end of this financial year, or the beginning of the next financial year.”
Malhotra said that the planned models would be absolutely new ones in India from the company, specifically designed keeping in mind the market here. “Besides, our existing product-lines are also constantly getting refreshed,” he added.
Nissan Motor India reported domestic sales of 3,975 cars in November, against 2,617 cars sold in the same month, a year ago, growing at 52%, which has been attributed to the success of the Datsun redi-GO.
The chic, smart redi-GO — the first car to be created from scratch at the company’s R&D centre in Chennai — was launched in June, this year, and has sold over 17,000 units till now in India.
“Generally in India, products first sell in the bigger towns, while the smaller towns tend to be more conservative, and take time to accept new offerings. But with the redi-GO, we’ve seen that it has been well-received in small towns around India,” Malhotra said.
Today, Nissan boasts of a market share of 2%, and hopes to hit a reasonable 5% share in future.
“For whatever products we introduce, we’ll see that the export base is created. A focus on exports provides us a critical mass. When you are a new player and volumes are low, exports help maintain steady growth. Also, it enables building precision, quality, and global standards, while designing products for a wider market,” Malhotra said.
“Besides, carmakers must invest in enablers — Reaching out to customers and helping them experience products, financing options, used-car exchange, and so on. There are enablers in whom dealers may invest, such as aftersales service and handling,” he added.
Arun Malhotra: For whatever products we introduce, we’ll see that the export base is created. A focus on exports provides us a critical mass