We all know that Renault and Nissan have a strong joint venture in India since a decade and as per the cross shareholding agreement signed between the two, they can sell each other’s products with their own badges. This means both the companies can exist in the same segment in the same market with their not so different products and still they will not prove to be a threat to each other. The best example of this sales boosting strategy is the Nissan Micra and Renault Pulse, two technically similar cars with slightly modified exterior and significant price difference.
Though the strategy has not worked too well in the Indian market in the past, the duo wish to launch more products on the lines of Micra-Pulse. Earlier Nissan had considered launching Nissan Juke in India but since it is a 4 seater, but it did not fulfill the conditions required to appeal to the Indian customers.
Now the Japanese major is planning to launch the Duster with its own badge. The company is completely focusing on the Nissan branded version of the Duster and has already started working on it. The Nissan’s Duster sibling (yet to get its official name) will have a slightly modified exterior, better features on the inside and will be priced above the Renault Duster.
Slated for an India launch in the year 2013, the Nissan branded Duster could be better than Duster in terms of accommodation. Sources say that the Japanese is planning to add a third row of seats, taking the capacity to 7 people.
Talking a little about the Duster now, the car comes in two diesel and one petrol engine option. The diesel version comes with the spectacular 1500 CC K9K unit available in two output options: 85 PS and 110 PS. The petrol model equips a 1.6 litre K4M engine that puts out 109 PS of max power. Nissan will most likely use the same power trains for its compact SUV too. The response for the Duster in India in terms of bookings have been overwhelming and the Ford’s competitor EcoSport is likely to make this segment even hotter. It will be interesting to see how the compact SUV / crossover from Nissan does in the segment competing its own sibling Duster and Ford’s EcoSport.
We will keep you posted on the same, stay tuned to Car Blog India for latest updates.
via – MotorBeam
