Nissan to make nine new models at Chennai plant

Japanese auto major Nissan today announced that it has plans to manufacture nine new models at its Chennai plant, which will become operational by 2010. Out of the nine, five will be for the Indian market.

Nissan Motors India Managing Director Shouhei Kimura said, “India is a very important market for us. We have been focusing on how to localise the products and bring more models into the market.

“We have a five-year, mid-term plan under which we expect to produce about 400,000 units and sell about 200,000 units in India by 2012.”

Kimura was speaking at the 48th annual convention of SIAM. Currently, Nissan sells sports utility vehicle Xtrain and sedan Teana through the imported route.

The Chennai plant is being manufactured through its joint venture with French auto major Renault. The company also has plans to introduce new vehicles.

“We will launch a high-end crossover vehicle, Morano, along with the new Xtrail and a new Teana sedan, which could be launched in 2009,” Kimura said.

Kimura said Nissan has entered into arrangements with leading auto companies such as Ashok Leyland for manufacturing a light commercial vehicle and with Maruti Suzuki for exporting its A segment car ‘Scope’ to the European markets. Source: www.business-standard.com