In order to improve its market share, Nissan is aiming to launch a mix of premium and mass market cars in India. If media reports are to be believed, the Japanese maker is contemplating the sports car GT-R for the Indian market. Moreover, the company is also planning to introduce its premium brand Infiniti to grab some share in the growing luxury car market. Interestingly, the company is also working on a compact sports utility vehicle for the market.
Speaking to livemint, Takashi Hata, Nissan’s chairman for India, Africa and West Asia said that talks with headquarters are on regarding launch of Infiniti and GT-R and local production to make them competitive. “At the very high end, we will have to go to this area of Infiniti and GT-R and I am sure Indian market is going to grow in this segment. If I am convinced that it is going to drive up the value of the brand, we are going to bring in the cars.” he added.
The launch of these two vehicles would take at least 3-4 years of time. The Infiniti cars will come as completely knocked-down kits, while the GT-R would only made its way via CBU route. It is expected that Infiniti Q30 hatchback and the QX30 crossover could make its way to the Indian market. Both cars are expected to go on sale globally in 2015. The Q30 crossover will compete against the likes of BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Speaking on the compact SUV launch, Hata said, “We have to start with a smaller SUV. I would like to be a leader in that segment. We have started working on a product internally. If not next year, then immediately after that”.
Nissan already has Terrano SUV in India; however, the company is planning to launch a sub-4 metre SUV for the Indian market. It is also expected that Nisan is also aiming to introduce the Qashqai and new X-Trail SUV in the country.
Source: Livemint
