Japanese automaker Nissan today said it will manufacture two cars based on its global compact car platform, code named ‘V’, from its Chennai plant.
The company has plans to launch three global vehicles over a period of three-years based on the V-platform starting from 2010.
“We will launch at least three vehicles on the V-platform. Out of the three cars, two will be manufactured from the Chennai plant,” Nissan Motor Progamme Director Vincent Cobee told reporters here today.
The company claims the V-platform car are more fuel efficient and lighter. It can come in petrol and diesel variants, complying with Euro-III to Euro-VI emission norms.
Apart from India, the three cars on the global platform for compact vehicle would be manufactured in five countries.
“The three cars will be produced from five sites. The three sites that have been finalised are India, Thailand, China and the fourth country will be America which we are examining,” Cobee said.
Nissan has not decided about the fifth country, he added. The first car to be manufactured on the V-platform would be a hatchback.
“The first in India will be launched in May 2010. Globally, it will be launched in March 2010 from Thailand,” Cobee said.
The car to be manufactured from Nissan’s plant in Chennai would be exported to European countries, Africa and the Middle-East.
The second car on the V-platform would be a small sedan which would be rolled out in India in 2011.
“The second car will be launched in 2011 in India,” Cobee said.
The V-platform achieves great fuel efficiency by applying advanced technology. “We are applying advanced technology 40 per cent and smart technology 10 per cent,” he said.
The car will be a low carbon-emission, status and functional but responsible, Cobee said.
Eighty per cent of the car spares will be locally produced for this car.
Approximately 50 per cent of the cars produced in the Chennai plant will be exported. In 2010, Micra, which is currently manufactured in Europe, will be manufactured at the Chennai plant and will be exported to Europe, the company said.
“We aim to enhance our market and segment coverage from 80 per cent to 94 per cent by 2012,” Cobee said.
