Datsun plans to introduce Alto rival in India by 2016

Nissan revived its low-cost Dastun brand to grab more market share in developing nations including India, South Africa, Indonesia and Russia, where people opt for budget friendly cars instead of high-tech and expensive products. Go hatchback will be the first Datsun car to be introduced in India by early 2014, following by Go+ MPV by the end of the next year. We reported earlier that Nissan will launch 7 new products by 2016, out of which three comes from Datsun badge. The third Datsun product will be a small car, which will be priced around Rs. 2-3 lakh to compete against India's top selling car, the Maruti Suzuki Alto.

With its small car (Codenamed I2), Datsun aims to sell around 8,000- 9,000 units a month. Hyundai's Eon also managed to generate same sales number, while the Maruti sells about 20,000 units of Alto a month. This segment accounts for 20 per cent of total India's passenger vehicle market.

Speaking to FE, Nissan Motor India vice-president Ajay Raghuvanshi said, “First will be Go and Go+, then the third car is most likely another small car in the Alto segment which is huge. Everything will depend on the Datsun Go’s reach, because this will decide the fate of the brand. It will be the first touch point of the brand and all our energies are on to make it successful in India.”

By seeing the increasing competition, Honda Cars India is also aiming to introduce a small car, however nothing has been finalised on the same. If all goes well, the Japanese automaker will need a new third plant. 

Source: FE

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