Nissan targets three-fold rise in annual volumes

Despite sluggish market conditions and negative growth in passenger car sales segment, Nissan India is targeting a three-fold rise in its annual volumes from India in the financial year. With new Micra Active, Premium New Micra and an aggressive launch line-up, the company is aiming to sell 100,000 units in 2013-14 compared with 37,000 units last fiscal.

Speaking to Business Standard, Nissan Motor India Vice-President (business management) Ajay Raghuvanshi said, "The April-June quarter hasn't been very promising for us as we sold 6,300 units, a drop of 10 per cent over the corresponding period previous year. The market sentiments are not good but we are hopeful to achieve the target by an aggressive product line-up. The new Nissan Micra and Active will contribute significantly to sales, as we are overwhelmed with the response generated so far through our dealerships before the launch. Our strategy in lauching new Micra and Micra Active is to cut across the entire hatchback segment and broad-base our offering to a wider target audience."

He added further, " Besides that Terrano, a compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), for the Indian auto market would be launched by this year. The model will be placed in the compact SUV segment and will compete against popular SUV's in the market. Also, we have plans, to launch Datsun model by early next year. With aggressive launch line up we are hopeful to sell 1 lakh units in the current fiscal in the Indian market.'

Besides banking on newly launched Micra, the company has high expectation from its SUV, Terrano. He added, " The total SUV market in India is pegged at 3.6 lakh units per annum and is growing at the rate of 20 per cent, so having a product in this category is the need of the hour. So we are launching Terrano and high expecaatations from it. "

He added, " To ensure good sales and after sales service across the nation, we are planning to increase our dealer networks at a rapid pace. We are planning to have 150 dealers across the country from 95 at present."

Meanwhile, it announced the launch of new Micra, which sports bold, energetic exterior and premium interiors and Active, which is a spacious hatchback offering quality and functionality at a competitive price.

New Micra is based on the popular fourth generation city car with major redesigned exteriors, refreshed premium interiors and list of advanced user friendly features adds to the dynamic new look. The nationwide sales for New Nissan Micra and Micra Active, built on Nissan's versatile 'V' platform will commence from July 03, 2013.