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Nissan to launch small cars in India

Nissan Motors is planning to establish a greater stand in the huge small car segment market by launching cheaper compact cars. The Japanese automobile company is planning to launch three to four new cars in the entry level small car segment, which will be priced under Rs. 5 lacs. These small cars will be launched in the next three to five years. Sources believe that Nissan might launch a small car based on the K2 platform by the year 2013 and it will be priced in the range of Rs. 3-4 lacs.

However, this will be just the beginning, as Nissan will then launch its cheapest car, which will be priced in the range of Rs. 2- Rs. 3 Lacs. It is being developed by Hinduja Group engineering.

The Small car market in India is the largest. Small cars account for over 70% of the domestic market. Though the demand for premium hatchbacks is building up as well, but the cheaper hatchbacks, priced under Rs. 5 Lacs, still dominate the hatchback sales with 40-45 percent share.

The Corporate Vice President of Nissan, for West Asia, India and Africa, Mr. Gilles Normand said that the company is open to partnerships with other companies, as they want to grow and become more competitive in the Indian market. He also said that the company is working on cars that will be priced in the range of Rs. 1.5- Rs. 4 Lacs. But he refused to give out the details.

The company has plans of launching SUVs, MUVs and luxury cars as well, by the year 2013. Recently, the company launched entry level sedan called Nissan Sunny. Nissan Micra, is at present the only hatchback offering in India, from Nissan. The sales of Nissan Micra haven't been really good, as it priced higher than what was expected. though the export figures for Micra are exceptional. The small car is manufactured in India, and exported to many countries around the world.