Japanese auto major Nissan Motor Company today unveiled a seven-seater car 'Evalia' at the Auto Expo here and said it will triple its dealership network in the country in the next three years.
Nissan has developed the Evalia in partnership with Ashok Leyland and will produce the car at its plant near Chennai.
The Evalia, that is said to be launched in the middle of this year, will be the third model to be rolled-out from the company's Chennai plant after Micra, Sunny.
Speaking about the company's expansion plan at the 11th Auto Expo, Nissan Motor Company Corporate Vice President Gilles Normand said, "Currently, there are 50 dealer outlets in India but that figure will more than double by the end of the next year. The target is to reach 150 outlets by 2015."
When asked about the launch of the car, Andy Palmer Executive Vice President (Global Planning and Programme Management) at Nissan Motor Company said, "It will be launched in the middle of this year and it will be very competitively priced. We are targeting multi-purpose vehicle segment."
Commenting on the company's plan to expand capacity, Normand said, "We are adding a second production line at the plant in Oragadam near Chennai by March this year."
Besides Evalia, the company also showcased a zero-emission electric car LEAF, Nissan GTR and third one is Compact Sports Concept (CSC).
About its investment plans, the company had announced an investment of Rs 4,500 crore to be made till 2015 at the Oragadam plant. Out of the total amount, the company has already invested Rs 2,800 crore.
For the fiscal year ended March 2010, the company expects to sell 40,000 vehicles in India that includes brands like Micra, Sunny, TEANA, X-Trail, 370Z sports car.
