Nissan confirms plans of bringing the Murano SUV to India in 2009

It's confirmed - the Nissan Murano is coming to India as a CBU import, in 2009

We’ve earlier reported that Nissan would be bringing the Murano SUV to India in 2009, and the Japanese company has now confirmed its plans of doing so. The Murano would be brought to India next year as a CBU, and if Nissan manages to get the pricing right, the Murano could be the first real competitor to the Honda CR-V.

Nissan is fully committed to the Indian markets and wants to diversify its product portfolio here as soon as possible. ‘We will offer the Murano as a completely built import in the following fiscal,’ said Simon Sproule, Corporate VP, Global Communications, Nissan.

Given its more substantial, imposing presence, the Murano may be more successful in India than the Nissan X-Trail, which has already been on sale here for a few years. The X-Trail is a more toned-down ‘crossover’ rather than a big, chunky SUV, which is what most Indian consumers seem to want.

Nissan sold about 235 X-Trails in 2007, and the Murano could well have the potential to better that figure by a significant margin. Nissan believes that market conditions in India are just right for a ‘premium SUV’ and the company does not want to miss out on the opportunity of having a contender in this lucrative segment.

Renault Nissan inaugurates its first car manufacturing plant near Chennai

Renault and Nissan cars will be built at Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt. Ltd.'s new plant at Oragadam, near Chennai. The plant will start operating by 2010

Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt. Ltd. has inaugurated its first car plant in Oragadam, about 45km from Chennai. The company will be investing Rs 4,500 crore in this plant, which will have an initial capacity of 400,000 cars per annum.

The Renault Nissan plant in Oragadam will be fully operational by 2010, and will make Nissan and Renault cars for India, as well as some export markets. ‘The new project is a tangible result of the strength and success of the Renault-Nissan alliance, and a clear indicator of Renault-Nissan's long-term strategy for this important market,’ said Shohei Kimura, Corporate VP, Nissan Motor Company Ltd.

Nissan to manufacture its A-platform compact cars in India

Various small Nissans, including the next-generation Micra, will be built in India

Nissan says it has identified India as one of the five ‘low cost countries’ where it will manufacture its new-generation compact cars, including the Micra.

‘Nissan will compete in the entry-level car market with a dedicated new A-platform, which will be used for at least three models, including the next generation of Micra, and will be built in five Leading Competitive Countries (LCCs),’ said a Nissan press release.

A new plant in Chennai, which is being constructed under the Renault-Nissan alliance, could also be one of the production sites where the new A-platform compact cars may be built. The A-platform is an important part of Nissan’s long-term business plans, and the company sees India as an integral part of its worldwide market for small cars.

Ashok Leyland, Nissan set up three new JV cos, to invest Rs 23 billion

Ashok Leyland Ltd. and Nissan have set up three new joint venture companies, with a total investment of around Rs 23 billion, for the manufacture of LCVs, powertrains and technology development. ALL and Nissan had signed their master cooperation agreement in October last year, and have formalized it now.

Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., which will make LCVs, will be 51 percent owned by Ashok Leyland and 49 percent by Nissan. Nissan Ashok Leyland Powertrain Pvt. Ltd., the powertrain manufacturing unit, will be 51 percent owner by Nissan and 49 percent by Ashok Leyland, while Nissan and ALL will both have a 50 percent stake in Nissan Ashok Leyland Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

‘The balanced joint venture structure facilitates meaningful contribution from both partners and the best opportunity to leverage their respective strengths,’ said R Seshasayee, MD, Ashok Leyland. ‘We took another important step in the creation of a solid structure that will allow Nissan and Ashok Leyland to enter successfully the LCV market in India and global markets,’ added Carlos Tavares, executive vice-president, Nissan.

Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. will have an initial capacity of 100,000 vehicles per annum, which may be scaled up later. The plant, which will be set up near Chennai, will be operational by the end of 2010.

Nissan reaffirms plan for LCV leadership

The light commercial vehicle (LCV) business will continue to be a breakthrough driver of growth during the Nissan GT 2012 mid-term business plan, announced on the 13th of May, by Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn.

The company has set bold commitments for the LCV business during the five years of Nissan GT 2012. Nissan is aiming at doubling the revenue generated by LCV sales in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2007, and achieving top level customer satisfaction performance in the global LCV market by 2012.

At the heart of the business plan is a substantial investment in new products. Nissan will launch 13 all new light commercial vehicles by the end of 2012. As previously announced, Nissan will start LCV sales in Russia in September 2008, and in India and the US during 2010.

‘Nissan has grown LCV sales to unprecedented records for the brand, and we aim to become a leading player in the global LCV market by 2012,’ said Andy Palmer, Corporate Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, LCV Business Unit. ‘To grow our business further we will continue focusing on the unmet needs of the LCV customers around the world, offering them products that are smart and reliable partners for their daily professional endeavours,’ said Palmer.

LCV results in fiscal year 2007 and Value-Up period

In fiscal year 2007 the LCV BU sold 519,703 units globally with a consolidated operating profit (COP) exceeding 8%. The NP300 pickup truck (also sold as the Frontier in selected markets) was the best-selling individual Nissan LCV with 71,678 units. China was the market with the largest portion of LCV sales (151,088 units) followed by Japan (121,790 units).

During the Nissan Value-Up mid term business plan period (FY2005 - FY2007), the LCV business had been identified for the first time as one of four business breakthroughs. Commitments included growing sales volumes by 40% to 434,000 units and doubling the COP to 8% by the end of fiscal year 2007. Both commitments were exceeded one year early.

Nissan LCVs to be sold in India from 2010

Expect to see Nissan LCVs on Indian roads within the next two years

Japanese auto major Nissan has announced that it will start selling light commercial vehicles in India from 2010. The company will also start LCV sales in Russia from September this year.

As a part of its global strategy for attaining leadership status in the segment, Nissan plans to roll out 13 LCV models by 2012. The Japanese company will make substantial investments in new products and plans to double its revenue generated by LCV sales by 2012, as compared to 2007.

‘Nissan has grown LCV sales to unprecedented records for the brand, and we aim to become a leading player in the global LCV market by 2012,’ says Andy Palmer, Corporate Vice President (LCV Business Unit), Nissan Motor Co.

Nissan also has a joint venture with Ashok Leyland to build LCVs in India. Plus, the company is working with Bajaj Auto on an ultra low cost car – codenamed the ULC – which should cost Rs one lakh and should be out in the next 3 – 4 years.

Nissan starts work on electric cars in earnest, Nissan EVs might come to India by 2012

Nissan expects to go mass market with its EVs by 2012

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., and the government of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan have announced their agreement to conduct a feasibility study of a full-scale electric vehicle project in Kanagawa, starting in 2010. The joint-study will explore various opportunities including establishment of a local electricity-charging network and offer appropriate incentives.

‘In April, Kanagawa Prefecture had announced the EV Initiative Kanagawa, an incentive scheme to include subsidies and tax exemptions to promote electric vehicles. By 2014, we hope to achieve 3,000 units of electric vehicles in Kanagawa. The scheme is supported by the industrial and academic sectors. The joint-study with Nissan will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles among consumers. We intend to achieve a sustainable mobility solution with the ‘Kanagawa Model,’ which can be replicated at the national and global levels,’ said Shigefumi Matsuzawa, the governor of Kanagawa Prefecture.

‘At Nissan, we firmly believe that electric vehicles represent a viable and attractive solution for sustainable mobility. In collaboration with the government of Kanagawa Prefecture, we hope to clearly position the electric vehicle as a zero emission, affordable car with no impact on the environment,’ said Carlos Tavares, executive vice president of Nissan.

Under its GT 2012 mid-term business plan, Nissan has committed to introduce a pure electric vehicle in the US and Japan in 2010 and then to mass-market electric vehicles to consumers globally – possibly including India – in 2012.

Nissan aims to sell two lakh cars in India by 2012

With its ambitious sales targets for the country, and the growing SUV market here, expect Nissan to bring the Murano softroader to India soon...

Nissan has said it wants to sell more than two lakh cars and SUVs in India over the next four years. ‘In India, we have made a strategic decision to work with partners to speed our entry into the market and to leverage local expertise, building on Nissan's proven track record of success with collaborative relationships,’ said Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan Motor Co Ltd.

‘Our volume is expected to increase to more than 200,000 units in the fiscal year 2012,’ said Ghosn, speaking about Nissan’s projected sales in the Indian market. Along with Renault, Nissan is setting up a new manufacturing facility in Chennai which will have an annual capacity of 400,000 cars per annum.

Nissan’s other interests in India include an JV with Ashok Leyland for building LCVs, and a JV with Bajaj for making a very low cost small car, codenamed the ULC. This small car, to be built at a brand-new plant in Chakan, near Pune, is expected to be out in the market by 2011. Also, the Japanese company is expected to launch the Murano SUV in India by mid-2009.

Renault-Nissan-Bajaj ULC small car to go on sale in India by 2011

Ok, nobody really knows what the Nissan-Renault-Bajaj ULC car will look like, but we'll bet it won't be dowdy...

After the Tata Nano created the Rs one lakh car segment, other companies also want a slice of the action. And quickly moving ahead in the race to offer ultra low cost cars in India is Renault-Nissan, who’ve tied up with Bajaj for the same.

The Renault-Nissan-Bajaj small car, codenamed the ULC, will be built at an all-new manufacturing facility in Chakan, near Pune, and initial capacity will be four lakh units per annum. Apart from selling the car in India, the company will also look at exporting the car to other emerging markets.

Bajaj will hold a 50 percent stake in the small car JV, while Nissan and Renault will hold 25 percent each.

Nissan, NEC bet big on EVs, to mass produce automotive lithium-ion batteries

Nissan and Renault will start selling EVs in Japan and the US by 2010

Nissan Motor Co and the NEC Corp have tied up for the production of lithium-ion batteries, for hybrid and electric vehicles. Convinced that electric vehicles (EVs) are the future, the two companies will be spending close to US$200 million towards a building a new manufacturing unit in the Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. Production of the li-ion batteries will start in early 2009.

The Automotive Energy Supply Corp (ASEC), an equally owned JV between Nissan and NEC was established last year, and this company will handle the lithium-ion batteries business. These batteries are smaller, lighter and longer lasting than the nickel-metal hydride batteries currently used in hybrid and electric cars.

Initial capacity at the Kanagawa Prefecture plant will be enough to cater to 10,000 EVs per annum, though capacity will be increased to six-fold in the future. AESC will ship batteries to Nissan and Renault, both of which plan to start selling electric cars in Japan and the United States by 2010. And India...? Well, we're sure our country can't be too far behind. Maybe the ASEC will sell some batteries to Chetan Maini, for the Reva...?

Hover Automotive to develop Nissan’s sales network setup in India

Nissan expects to have more than 50 dealerships in India by 2012, selling more than 100,000 vehicles per annum

Japanese carmaker, Nissan Motor Co has announced that it has appointed Hover Automotive India Private Ltd to develop its sales network in India, with the aim of establishing more than 50 dealerships by the year 2012, which will sell a total of more than 100,000 vehicles in that year.

‘Hover is a strategic partner that offers the necessary sales, marketing and dealer development expertise to ensure our success in India,’ Nissan Motor Executive Vice President Carlos Tavares said. Hover is a subsidiary of the Westmont Group, a global consortium with a diverse portfolio in hotels, real estate, customer service, brand management and marketing.

Hover’s operations in India will be led by Mumbai-based GM Singh, who has experience in car retail and rental franchises. Kevin Whalen, an entrepreneur with experience in developing dealer networks in the United States, will also be a part of the team.

With French company Renault holding a 44% stake in Nissan, Japan's third-biggest auto manufacturer, currently has five sales outlets in India, from where it sells the X-Trail SUV and the Teana luxury sedans, both imported as CBUs from Japan. Nissan sold 533 vehicles in India last year.

Nissan is looking has aggressive expansion plans for India, and the company expects to launch eight new cars here, including the Murano crossover, over the next five years. Apart from selling CBU imports, Nissan will also manufacture various models in India, at its upcoming plant near Chennai, where production is slated to start by 2010.

Nissan to make small hatchback for India by 2010

The Micra has been one of Nissan's most successful small cars, though the Japanese company is likely to engineer an all-new small hatchback for the Indian market

Japanese carmaker Nissan, already present in India with its X-Trail SUV and Teana luxury sedan, is planning to also get into the small car segment in the country. Given that small cars is where the largest amount of growth is expected in the Indian autoscape, Nissan will start making a small car in India by the year 2010.

While the small car will be built at Nissan’s upcoming factory near Chennai, the Japanese company has other plans too – in addition to the new small car, it hopes to launch another five models in India, one or two of which might even be in the small commercial vehicles space.

Nissan’s small car is likely to be priced at around Rs 3.5 lakh, so it’ll be competing against cars like the Maruti Wagon R and Zen Estilo, Hyundai Santro and Chevy Spark.

Interestingly enough, Nissan is also exploring the possibility of getting into the Tata Nano segment, for which it may work in collaboration with its French parent, Renault, and Indian bikemaker, Bajaj Auto. Nissan may export both cars – its own small hatchback, as well as its Tata Nano competitor – to African and South American countries. And as reported earlier, Nissan will also buy about 50,000 units of the upcoming Maruti Suzuki A-Star compact car, and export those to Europe.

New JVs to drive growth in the Indian commercial vehicles sector

There's just no stopping the Indian CV sector now...

The commercial vehicle segment in India will soon witness a lot of action from new as well as established players, even as new joint ventures are being formed, investments are being made and products are being readied for launch.

The recently announced Daimler Hero Motor Corporation (DHMC) will also start making trucks under a new brand name by the year 2010, and apart from catering to the Indian market, the company will also explore the export market.

Daimler Trucks, a division of Daimler AG, has five truck brands in its portfolio – Mercedes-Benz, Sterling, Freightliner, Western Star, and Mitsubishi Fuso. With a wide range of trucks to choose from Daimler Trucks’ range, and with the Hero Group’s marketing and supplier network, DHMC could be in a powerful position in the Indian CV market within the next five years.

Initially, the company will only look at light and medium commercial vehicles, and will add HCVs to its lineup only after 2012. Apart from introducing CVs from the Daimler Trucks range, DHMC will also develop light, low-cost CVs especially for the Indian market.

DHMC isn’t, of course, the only new player in the Indian CV scenario. Nissan has tied up with Chennai-based Ashok Leyland, and will manufacture LCVs and small trucks for the Indian market. Navistar, the world's fourth biggest manufacturer of trucks, has tied up with the Mahindras to produce HCVs for the Indian market. And German company, MAN (Europe's third-largest CV manufacturer), had formed and a JV with Force Motors, and the company has set up a new manufacturing plant near Indore, in MP, to build up to 24,000 CVs per annum.

Older, more established players are also taking steps to ensure that they stay at the top of their game. Volvo, for example, has picked up a stake in Eicher Motors, investing US$350 million in the new partnership, and the Swedish company will now control Eicher’s truck, bus and auto components businesses.

Whichever way you look at it, the Indian CV segment looks all set for some frenetic activity over the next few months.