Nissan and Volkswagen plan over compact SUVs for India

The compact SUV segment, considerably the fastest growing of all, will soon get additions from Volkswagen and Nissan. Media reports suggests that Volkswagen has already moved ahead with the plan and have reached the final stage, and waiting for end approval to start developing a new sub-4 metre car for the Indian market. On the other hand, the Japanese carmaker has commissioned to study market potential before entering the compact SUV segment.

Volkswagen India spokesperson says that the company is indeed considering entering into compact SUV segment and also sub-4 metre sedan. A source close to Volkswagen product development said, “The project is codenamed VW 2512. If the RFQ's hit the market in the next couple of months, the product will hit the market by mid-2016. The company hopes to bring in incremental volumes of 40,000 to 60,000 units per annum depending on the market condition.” Volkswagen India spokesperson says that the company is indeed considering entering into compact SUV segment, just the wait lasts until it gets the final nod on the project. He also said, “ If all decisions are taken and the projects are approved, we expect that the first set of new products from Volkswagen will hit the market in 2016.”

At the initial stage, the project was just considered for Indian car market, but now the company also finds selling it in emerging markets of BRIC nations as a viable option, therefore the delay is seen with the approval.

As far as the Nissan Motor India is concerned, the company can come up with a sub-4 metre Sunny and sub-4 metre SUV as key products of their portfolio. There are 10 products planned for Indian market till 2016-17, and the sub-4 metre products are most likely to arrive in India, it's just the wait to get on right price-value equation for them.

Source: ET