Nissan is planning to launch its urban multi utility vehicle (MUV) in India in August 2012. The new MUV is expected to be unveiled by the company at the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012. The company will develop the new car in collaboration with Ashok Leyland. The MUV with a Nissan badge will compete with the likes of Toyota Innova.
As a part of the joint venture, Nissan and Ashok Leyland have earlier launched the Dost mini truck. Nissan’s plant at Oragadam near Chennai currently has a capacity of manufacturing 2,00,000 units. By 2012, the company plans to upgrade the plant to produce 4,00,000 units. Out of the total production, about 8 percent of the vehicles are exported to global markets.
In the fiscal year 2011-2012, out of its targeted 40,000 units for the fiscal, Nissan has so far sold 13,000 vehicles. According to Mr. Sunil Reikhi, CFO, the company is 80% percent on track to meet the 2012 forecast and expects the sales for 2013 to be more than double.
Nissan is also planning to launch the diesel version of the Nissan Sunny by mid 2012.
