In order to increase its presence in the domestic market after the launch of its new model redi-GO, Japanese automobile maker Nissan Motor said it plans to alter its export volumes slightly.
Speaking to reporters here late on Monday Guillaume Sicard, President, Nissan India Operations, said exports this year are expected to be around 90,000 cars as against 110,000 units shipped out last year.
He said the company would like to have more cars for the Indian market and redi-Go will go for overseas market after six months time.
According to him, Renault-Nissan's joint venture car plant located near here is expected to reach its full capacity - 480,000 units per annum - in a year's time.
He said the alliance will take a decision on expansion then and Nissan may alter its export strategy with an aim to serve the Indian market.
Sicard said there are around 60,000 Datsun cars on the Indian roads and he was happy as the owners are satisfied.
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He hoped the Nissan's new model redi-Go will gain larger acceptance.
Sicard said it is really a challenge for the company to break into the market dominated by two players in the small cars segment.
"More advertising to increase the brand recall is a must while the company offers better value for the customers money," he said.
He pointed out that the Datsun brand is only two years old in India though globally it is 100 years old and sold in 190 countries.
Speaking about the advertising strategy for redi-Go, he said the company will be focussing on the online media to a greater extent.
According to him, redi-Go would offer a fuel economy of 25.17 kmpl and the over all maintenance cost will be 32 per cent cheaper then the market leader.
He said the company is looking at a market share of five per cent by the year 2020. According to him as compared to the days when Datsun Go and Datsun Go+ were launched, the number of dealer outlets has increased for the company which is a plus positive point.
Nissan India has 274 dealer points and 55 exclusive Datsun brand outlets which is set to increase, said Sicard.
On increasing the production capacity, he said a third shift has been introduced in the plant and the number of working days has been increased to six per week.
--IANS
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