Nissan launches `Micra' variants, mulls revival of `Evalia'

Nissan India, which today launched two variants of its top-selling hatchback `Micra', said it is planning to come out with a refreshed model of `Evalia' to stimulate demand for its multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

Micra Active and New Micra were launched at a starting price of Rs 3.50 lakh and Rs 4.79 lakh (petrol) respectively.

The Japanese auto major had launched Evalia, its first MPV, in last October and it has sold only 1,567 units so far.

"We are in serious discussions...we are not too far (from a refreshed version)," Nissan India President and Chief Executive Kenichiro Yomura told reporters here.

He was responding to a question as to what Nissan is doing to revive the Evalia, which has seen low sales.

To another question, Yomura said approaching the fleet owners could also be one of the options to enhance volumes of the Evalia.

On the two Micra variants, he said the company has set sales target of 2,500 units a month for the new models. "Our total sales target for this fiscal is 1 lakh units."

Nissan posted 11 per cent growth in sales at 36,975 units in FY13 with Evalia clocking just 1,396 units.

Yomura said the company is eyeing 10 per cent share by 2016 in India's fast-growing auto market and 10 models by then. As of June, the carmaker's market share stood at a negligible 1.5 per cent.

According to the company, Micra Active (petrol) is a spacious hatchback offering quality and functionality at a competitive price. It is based on the popular fourth generation city car with redesigned exteriors, refreshed premium interiors and gives a mileage of 19.49 kmpl.

The New Micra (petrol) comes for Rs 4.79 lakh, while its diesel variant is priced at Rs 5.99 lakh.

Nissan launched Mirca in India in July 2010 and has since sold 43,000 units. Globally, the model is known as `March' and it has clocked sales of over 6.5 million.

"Micra is a significant model for Nissan in this market. We expect the new models to serve wider range of customers," Yomura said.