Can The Alto Fight The Nissan Small Car?

Published: Friday, March 30, 2012, 18:12 [IST]

India's highest selling model, the Maruti Suzuki Alto is in line to face more and more competition. Nissan Motors is aiming at increasing its sales in India and to achieve this goal is developing a new small car that will be placed under its current best selling car, the Nissan Micra. According to reports the new Nissan small car could be priced between Rs.2 lakhs and 4 lakhs making it a direct competitor of the Alto.

Mr Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director and CEO, Nissan Motor India while speaking with reporters during the launch of the Sunny sedan said: “We're seriously studying the launch of a small car below the Micra. We see great opportunity in the small car segment."

Renault and Nissan had signed an agreement with Bajaj Auto to market a small car developed by the Indian two-wheeler manufacturer. Recent disagreements between the partners appears to have lead Nissan to develop its own small car. Nissan is also developing an MPV with joint venture partner Ashok Leyland. This new MPV is expected to compete with the Toyota Innova.

Nissan Motor India has said the Sunny Sedan will hit the market by October. To be sold with a petrol engine initially, the Sunny will get a diesel engine later. Mr. Tokuyama said Nissan was aiming to triple its sales in India. Nissan's small car will be vital for the Japanese carmaker to reach its sales target.

Nissan continues to use India as an export hub. Mr. Tokuyama said the Sunny will also be exported to West Asia and Africa once production reaches full capacity.

Article Published On: Thursday, August 4, 2011, 13:00 [IST]

Read more on: #nissan #sunny #micra #alto #maruti suzuki #small car

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