Datsun Go Fails to Lift Nissan Sales in India; Go+ MPV Launch Awaited

It looks like all is not well with Nissan Motors India. The sales of Nissan India plunged to 2,913 units during the month of July, despite the launch of company's low cost brand Datsun in the country.

A new Economic Times report said that even the Datsun's new offering Go failed to provide a respite to Nissan Motors in the country, which have been expecting that the introduction of Datsun small car Go would change the company's fortune in the domestic market. Datsun Go, a small car from the big brand Nissan was introduced to challenge Maruti's Alto and Hyundai Eon in India. But new reports show that the Go hatchback sales have been averaging around 1,500-2,000 units a month, which is not even half of Maruti's sales.

"They had done everything correct. Right from investing in huge capacity to having sizeable exports which offered scale advantage and they brought in a portfolio of products. In other words, Nissan Motor India replicated Hyundai Motor India's strategy exceptionally well, but the sales and marketing arrangement may have played spoilsport," ET quoted VG Ramakrishnan, MD, Frost & Sullivan, South Asia.

In the past few months, Nissan has expanded its portfolio in India with the launch of three new cars - Terrano SUV, Datsun Go hatchback and Sunny sedan. Apparently, none of these posted an impressive sales figure for the company. For India, the next car in Nissan's line up is its Go+ MPV.

Although the company is yet to announce the launch date of the new MPV in the country, rumours suggest that the car would reach the Indian shores during this festive season.

Under the hood, the Go+ MPV will pack 1,198 cc, three cylinder, 12 valve petrol motor, which can churn out a power of 68 PS @ 5,000 rpm and a peak torque of 104 Nm @ 4,000 rpm, coupled to five-speed manual gearbox.