NISSAN to give re-birth to the Datsun name

Nissan Motor Co plans to energize the Datsun model in promising markets like Russia, Indonesia and India within two years, the firm's chief executive told reporters.

Chief executive Carlos Ghosn said “the range will be tailored for each market, including price and engine size, and will target the growing market of first-time car buyers in countries such as India and Indonesia. Datsun is a good name, it was known for a product that was robust, reliable and affordable. These are good attributes to start with. We’re going to add good quality and modernity.”

As part of the deal, Nissan is planning to invest $400m in Indonesia to make it one of the biggest production centers in Asia. While the full model details are still to be confirmed, it is clear that Datsun will become a major arm of the company’s operation.

Nissan has not decided where the Datsun-branded cars will be produced, but a spokesman said that it is likely to be in Asia.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF NISSAN

- Against a backdrop of rising sales, international recognition for the quality of the locally built Micra and the launch of an innovative and exciting new family car, Nissan is making its mark in India -

DEHLI (5 January, 2012) - Booming sales, a top award for Quality and an innovative new segment-busting family vehicle to be built at Chennai… Nissan is making waves in India.

Appearing at the Delhi Auto Expo for the first time, Nissan has chosen this significant event to launch a brand new vehicle, built in India for India.

The Nissan Evalia, an award-winning seven-seater family car, is the first Urban-Class Utility Vehicle. Innovative and exciting, Evalia boasts best in class fuel economy, a truly versatile interior with multi-use functionality and a host of sophisticated features such as Rear View Camera and Intelligent Key.

When sales start later in the year, Evalia will add a new dimension to Nissan's range in India, joining the locally built Micra and Sunny models and the imported X-TRAIL SUV, exciting 370Z sports car and Teana premium sedan. Its arrival marks the start of not only a new segment for the Indian market but also a new phase in Nissan's presence in the country.

A comparative newcomer to India, Nissan's sales have exploded over the past two years. From selling around 13,000 units in FY2010, Nissan is aiming to almost triple that to around 40,000 in 2011.

The biggest seller in the country so far is the Indian-built Micra, a little car that has established ‘Made in India’ as a byword for quality. The internationally respected JD Power organization recently ranked Micra first in the premium compact segment for customer satisfaction.

Nissan is also rapidly building its dealer presence in the country. Currently there are 50 outlets established, covering around 70% of the country, but that figure will more than double by the end of next year, with 110 dealers giving 85% market coverage. The target is for 150 outlets by 2015.

"Our progress in India has been exceptional. An impressive rise in sales, award-winning quality from locally-built products, and an expanding range of innovative cars from a growing dealer network underlines the strategic importance of India to Nissan's future growth plans," said Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice-President, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

"Indeed, such is the global demand for products built here in India, that we have brought forward plans to open a second production line at our state-of-the-art Oragadam plant near Chennai. The second line will open in March, well ahead of schedule, which will ultimately create an extra 1,500 jobs at the plant - further proof of our commitment to the country."

As well as the full range of Nissan models on sale in India, the company has taken the unusual step of showing a number of products that aren't on sale here. But the idea behind displaying the potent Nissan GT-R, multi-award winning zero-emission electric Nissan LEAF and the one-off Compact Sports Concept (CSC) is to underline the key elements of innovation and excitement that's infused into the DNA of every Nissan car, light commercial and truck produced and sold globally.

CSC is an idea for the future, a look at how a small sporting three hatchback might look. Even though it has obvious links to the Nissan Micra, CSC is officially no more than a concept, designed to engage with younger customers in emerging markets such as India.

Two cars most firmly in production, though, are LEAF and GT-R. They might be complete opposites in terms of performance and appeal but both carry equal amounts of the Nissan DNA.

GT-R has an advanced four-wheel chassis, almost 500bhp from its twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 engine and is the fastest production car around the famed Nurburgring race circuit in Germany.

LEAF's performance figures are equally as startling in their own way. The family sedan performs against the clock as well as - and in some cases, better than - its conventional rivals, but with a battery-powered electric engine under the bonnet, there are no tail pipe emissions whatsoever.

"We want to show India the depth of Nissan's global offering. Although neither LEAF nor GT-R is currently available in the country, we feel the chance to see two of the most remarkable cars on sale anywhere in the world is something visitors will not want to miss," said Normand.

"As to whether LEAF and/or GT-R will ever be sold in India all I can say is that we are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating marketing plans. What I can confirm is that we are committed to launching a growing range of innovative and exciting models in India over the coming months and years - there is a lot more to come from Nissan."

Nissan 370Z

The Datsun 240Z was launched in 1969 (yup...go ahead and count - that's 4 decades!) and in 2009 it was given a new face - the 370Z (Z34). A lot has changed ever since, including looks, reliability, performance, and affordability. Nissan’s Z cars are respected as the best-selling sports cars of all-time and the 370Z represents the sixth-generation of the "Z" sports cars range.

The 370Z is powered by Nissan's 3.7-liter V6 engine, the VQ37VHR, which can power up to approximately 332hp. Furthermore, this speedster heart-races from 0-60 mph in mere 5.1 seconds (Motor Trend Magazine tested this monster out and reported an impressive 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds).

The 370Z is currently available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The six-speed manual is the first manual gearbox to feature 'synchro-rev matching' (the SynchroRev Match system), which is only available with the Sports Package. The differential offered with the Sports Package is indicated to be a viscous limited slip differential. The 370Z boasts styling updates to the previous 350Z, including improved interiors and ergonomics.

The 370Z features a front aluminum subframe, an aluminum-alloy engine cradle, aluminum door panels, all-aluminum hood and an aluminum hatch. The new structure weighs slightly less than the 350Z.

Nissan has also changed the clutch and brakes of the 350Z for the 370Z. The brakes have been changed from the more expensive Brembo racing brakes to Nissan-branded brakes which are manufactured by Akebono. The 370Z rides on a shorter wheelbase and uses lightweight materials. These significant changes reduce the weight of the car, which means performance unlimited.

The Nissan 370Z is priced at Rs.54 Lakhs in India

Every part of the 370Z is equally responsible for the cars overall performance. Without any doubt, the 370Z is a great replacement for the 350Z as it offers much better performance!

Nissan 350Z Roadster spotted

Spotting an exotic such as the Nissan 350Z was the perfect ending to a hectic day. I have always admired brand Nissan for creating the Godzilla, the Nissan GTR. It looks fantastic and I haven't seen any exotic this wild.

The 350Z is a successful effort from Nissan in building a sports car that suits everyone.  The 350Z is a two- seat sports car that was manufactured by Nissan from 2004–2009. It has been succeeded by the 370Z for the 2009 model year.

The Nissan 350Z represented the fifth generation of "Z" sports cars from Nissan. The 350Z is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine that provides 306 hp (228 kW) at 6800 rpm with 268 ft·lbf (363 N·m). It is good for a limited 155mph and is capable of hitting 0-60mph in under six seconds.

This 350Z is a special edition from the Nissan's performance tuning division, NISMO. In addition to the standard features, the car also features NISMO aerodynamics package, which is based on the Super GT championship car. It includes an aggressive front fascia with chin spoiler, side skirts, an extended rear fascia with under body diffuser and a rear wing. The car also comes with NISMO-tuned independent multi-link suspension, Brembo brakes with four-piston front and two-piston rear callipers and NISMO-branded gunmetal grey RAYS alloy wheels.

The Nissan 350Z is a perfect roadster that understands and displays rawness and emotion in its performance.

Nissan India launches Sunny

2011 Nissan Sunny India

Today, Nissan India launched their affordable luxury sedan, Sunny, at an event in Mumbai. This move of Nissan is to make their portfolio stronger in India. The Nissan Sunny is built on the Nissan’s V-Platform, which is also used by the Nissan Micra.

Nissan Sunny boasts a 1.6-liter engine and four-wheel drive, being able to produce 105 hp. The Sunny can race at a top speed of 180kmph. However, ti takes 10.5 seconds to get from 0-100 (which is in simple terms is SLOW). However it does not compromise on the fuel efficiency, so tree-huggers should be happy.

2011 Nissan Sunny India

Mr Kiminobu Tokuyama, MD & CEO, Nissan Motors India, on the unveiling of Sunny India said, "The unveiling of the iconic Nissan SUNNY today reinstates our seriousness on business operations in India. It reiterates that we are as per schedule on our Indian plans including future product launches. Nissan SUNNY highlights the versatility of the global V-platform that allows us to benchmark ourselves with novel design features for the mid-size segment. The vehicle will offer more value to the discerning customer and carve out a niche amidst competition in the fast growing Indian automobile market."

Dr Sumantran, Executive VC, Hinduja Automotive, stated, "The first phase will see three separate platforms being launched at intervals of 12-15 months. The joint venture company had acquired 380 acres for the purpose. The second vehicle due for launch in late 2012 will be a van-like vehicle that will be produced at Nissan's plant in Oragadam near Chennai."

In the Indian market, the Nissan Sunny will go head-to-head with the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and the Toyota Etios Sedan (both are great competitors!).