Datsun At 2014 Auto Expo - GO, GO+ & l2

By Ganesh

Published: Saturday, January 11, 2014, 12:56 [IST]

Datsun, the brand revived by Nissan to enter the ever green entry level car market in India has an aggressive strategy going ahead. This year we'll get to witness Datsun take the bull (Maruti Suzuki) by its horns as it launches its first model, the GO hatchback, followed by the GO+ MPV and a third concept.

Also Read: Maruti A-Star Replacement, Celerio At Auto Expo 2014

GO hatchback
The GO compact hatchback falls in the same league as Maruti Suzuki's Alto K10 and Hyundai Eon as it will be priced under INR 4 lakhs, as promised by Datsun during it unveiling last year.

A key advantage the GO will have over its rivals will be its spacious cabin. The only disadvantage Datsun will have to manage with initially is the lack of sales and service centers.

Datsun's products will be sold at Nissan dealerships, of which only about 150 currently exist in the country. Maruti and Hyundai showrooms currently number in the thousands. Datsun should start selling the GO soon after its launch at the Auto Expo in Feb.

GO+ MPV
Based on the GO hatchback, which in turn is built on the Nissan Micra platform, GO+ gets a longer rear hang, making space for a third row of seats.

Datsun will target Maruti Suzuki Ertiga with the GO+ and the advantage it will have in this case will be in terms of pricing. While the Ertiga starts at over 6 lakhs for the base variant, GO+ is expected to cost almost a lakh less for the equivalent variant.

Datsun GO+ is expected to hit Indian roads a couple of months after the GO.

l2
Datsun l2 is the name of a third model that is currently under development. This upcoming model will be built on a brand new platform and will be placed below the GO hatch, in the INR 2-3 lakh price range.

Datsun's intent is clear. It wishes to challenge Maruti's stronghold over the entry level car segment. While Hyundai has tried with the Eon, Datsun will go even further or down the model lineup by rivallening Alto 800, the least expensive Maruti, with its l2.

Datsun l2 will be unveiled at the Auto Expo 2014 only as a concept. A production model will only arrive in late 2014 or early 2015.

What are your thoughts about Datsun's India strategy? Will it be able to dethrone Maruti? tell us in the comments section below.