Earlier this year Nissan introduced Datsun in India and other developing markets like Indonesia and Russia. We gave all the related news about the brand and how crucial is will be for Nissan as well as Indian Automobile Market. But now some further information regarding its product line up has been confirmed from the Datsun stable.
As we told you Datsun will manufacture and develop cars which focus more on the developing market. Datsun has plans to launch two of its offerings in India by 2014 and now according to the company the Datsun will introduce a total of five cars by the end of 2015. Now that’s something very pleasing. What’s more pleasing is that the company is working and developing not only small pocket friendly hatchbacks but some very economical MPV, a mini SUV and an entry level sedan. The other two will be hatchbacks.
The MPV will be of the size of Maruti Ertiga and taking a look at the success of Ertiga developing a car for this segment is a wise decision. The mini SUV will surely compete with Renault’s Duster and Ford Ecosport. This segment is new to the Indian market but surely has got its spot and other manufacturers are developing something for the same segment as well. The entry level Sedan segment also needs no introduction and always has been hot seller in our market like the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios, and Tata Manza. All this news really takes our anxiety to another level.
First of them will surely be a hatchback which was announced earlier codename K2. It will be based on two generation old Micra and will be priced fewer than 4 lakhs. Other is a more competitive model which will be priced around 3 lakhs, codename I2 and will take the heat from segment leader i10, Maruti Suzuki Alto. Datsun will use highly localized is parts and will hire local engineers. Localization of parts and using local Indian human resources will give Datsun a huge cost competitive advantage compared to conducting its operation elsewhere or using non-domestic resources as the position of Indian Rupee in the currency market is already very weak. Stay tuned to Car Blog India for more updates on Datsun cars in India.
