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Nissan Motors India, a subsidiary of Japan’s Nissan Motor Co, is looking to almost triple its sales in the domestic market to about 1 lakh vehicles in FY14 against the 37,000-units sold during the previous financial year.
“We have new models coming in, and we are going to increase the number of dealers,” said Kenichiro Yomura, President of Nissan’s India operations. “We need to improve our marketing communications,” he added.
During the year, the company will launch four models — two refresher models and two new models — of which one will be from its Datsun brand. The first launch could be as early as July, said Yomura. He, who is also the Managing Director and CEO of Nissan Motors India Pvt Ltd (NMIPL), added that the company will increase its dealer network to 145 by the end of this fiscal. As of March 31, 2013, the automaker’s dealer network stood at 95.
The plan is part of the company’s ambitious target of garnering 10 per cent of the domestic passenger vehicles market by the turn of FY17.
Currently, NMIPL sells six models in India. It manufactures the hatchback Micra, the sedan Sunny and the MPV Evalia at its Chennai plant, which has an installed capacity of 4 lakh units a year. It imports the other three models — the premium sedan Tenea, the high-end SUV X-Trail and the luxury sedan 370Z.
NMIPL, which exported about 1.30 lakh vehicles in FY13, expects to maintain that number during the current fiscal as well.
Nissan, Japan's third largest automaker, will also look at investments in improving its production capacity in India, from the existing 4 lakh units of installed capacity.
On the relationship with Hover Automotive, which has been handling the key functions of sales, after-sales service and marketing, he said the company would continue to work with it. However, he ruled out picking up a stake in Hover.
On the impact of the global recall of Micra following some brake glitches, Yomura said the company has so far received only nine complaints. It had sold 35,000 Micras in the domestic market.
rajesh.kurup@thehindu.co.in
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