Nissan began volume production of its new Micra on Monday at its factory near Chennai. Domestic sales are due to start in July and exports to Europe, the Middle East and Africa from September.
The Micra, built on the new Renault Nissan V platform, is assembled at the new Renault Nissan Automotive India plant in Oragadam, an industrial park. The alliance is investing about US$900m over seven years in the plant which will have an eventual capacity of 400,000 a year.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The Micra will go on display in dealer showrooms across India from 25 May when orders will also be taken ahead of first customer deliveries in July.
Compact cars make up about 70% of the Indian market, led by Maruti Suzuki with its best-selling Alto, Swift and Ritz models. Earlier this year GM launched its Beat, Ford launched the Figo and VW the Polo while Toyota has pencilled in the end of the year for the launch of the Etios, all rivals to the Micra.
Nissan Motor COO Toshiyuki Shiga said: “The start of commercial production of Nissan Micra is the beginning of a new chapter for us in India. In an exponentially growing and challenging Indian automobile industry, we are introducing a product that has been specifically designed keeping in mind the discerning consumer needs of India. The India made Micra will supply to strategic markets such as Europe, Middle East and Africa and this is only possible due to the high quality skills of Indian team.”
The plant at Oragadam, on an area of 640 acres, employs 1,900 workers today and will reach 3,000 in two years time. The company, along with its supplier park in Chennai, estimates a total of 6,000 jobs will be created in the region.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataThe initial production capacity at the plant will be 200,000 units with one line and the company is looking at producing more than 80,000 units in FY10.
