Nissan has unveiled the Datsun Go, a five-door hatchback that will be priced below Rs. 4 lakh. Though the car was unveiled today, the market launch will take place only in early 2014.
Nissan has unveiled the Datsun Go, a five-door hatchback that will be priced below Rs. 4 lakh. Though the car was unveiled today, the market launch will take place only in early 2014.
Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan, unveiled the car at a ceremony, and said Nissan hopes to garner 10 per cent share in the Indian market with the help of the Datsun by 2016.
There will be two models in 2014, and a third subsequently a year later. These cars may have parts or platforms borrowed from existing Nissan products, but will not be cheapened or rebadged Nissan or Renault products. They will, however, most likely share engines and gearboxes with their cousins.
Priced below Rs. 4 lakh, the car is expected to give strong competition to the volume segments of Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.
The hatchback will sport an iteration of the same 1.2-litre petrol engine that powers the Nissan Micra.
The vehicle will be 3785 mm in length and have a wheelbase of 2450 mm – the same platform the Micra uses.
The Go will be launched in Indonesia, Russia and South Africa as well. For India, the Datsun will be produced at the Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai.
The idea behind the Datsun is to offer buyers a more modern option to existing entry-level cars like the Alto and Eon at the low-end and the Ritz and i10 at the top-end.
Rivals will watch this closely, especially since the market has slowed down and sales aren't easy to notch up these days. Any threat to volume segments will be seen as serious.
Nissan is expected to launch the Go at the 2014 Auto Expo.
