Japanese
carmaker Nissan's low cost car brand which was launched earlier this year is
making the right noises. Recent reports indicate its is aiming squarely at the
world's cheapest car Tata Nano. Nissan has stated that it wants to build a car
that costs about $2,500 (Rs.1.25 Lakhs) from Datsun.
Datsun's
low cost car is expected to be developed indigenously in India. Nissan has set
its eyes on a major market share in the Indian car market, considered to be the
fastest growing market in the world. The Tata Nano has had a hassle free in its
price bracket as no carmaker has ventured in to it so far.
The market
for a low cost car is increasing in India considering the increasing number of
urban dwellers. Sales of the tata nano has been on the increase in recent
months, although not to levels that Tata Motors would be very proud of.
Datsun has
seen an opportunity for another low cost car in India. With Nissan no longer in
the loop in the development of Bajaj's low cost car, it is now clear that it
has to work only with its French partner Renault if it has to build this car.
Making an
official statement on Datsun's plans to launch a low cost car, Renault Nissan
CEO Carlos Ghosn said: “Nissan cannot and does not need to have a car in every
price bracket and this is where Datsun's low cost cars will come in to the
picture. We are even looking at ultra low cost cars between $2,500 to $3,000
too. These cars will be aimed at two wheeler buyers and first time car buyers.”
Explaining
the reason behind Nissan relaunching the Datsun low cost brand, Mr Ghosn stated
that Developing markets have a large demand for such cars and Nissan's brand
image does not allow it to enter this segment and hence it needed a new brand.
The
statement has put great doubts on Bajaj's own low cost car project. Bajaj intended
to market its product across the globe with Nissan and Renault's help. But with
nissan's Datsun entering the segment bajaj has lot of things to worry about.
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