Nissan gears up for India offensive

Nissan Motor Co. is all set to move forward with its plans for India. The company aims to launch eight new models by 2012 which will consist of imports and locally manufactured cars from the company’s 400,000-unit per year Chennai plant. Leading Nissan’s charge will be the all-new Nissan Micra, which is expected to be launched in May 2010. India will be the global production base for the Micra, which will be available in both petrol and diesel engines. The lightweight, state-of-the-art engine is expected to give class-leading fuel efficiency. A saloon based on the same platform that will compete head-on with the Dzire will soon follow the Micra. The saloon is likely to come with a bigger petrol motor and also a more powerful version of the K9 diesel engine. According to sources, Nissan is also evaluating a large C-segment car, an MPV and a small SUV to be manufactured in its Chennai plant, as well as a range of imports which include the Teana, Murano Crossover, X-Trail and possibly the 370Z sports car. (May 21, 2009)