Latest news with #Vatsa
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Nissan India remains steadfast on commitments despite shift in global strategy
Nissan India plans to launch three new products by FY27 - a seven seater B-Segment MPV along with a 5 seater and a 7 seater C-Segment SUVs Check Offers Nissan India is committed to its previously announced plans and growth trajectory for the Indian market, even as the global automotive giant navigates significant strategic shifts. The resolute stance was made clear recently by the company officials amidst recent industry speculation regarding its long-term presence, particularly following adjustments to its global manufacturing footprint and alliance structures. Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, during a recent press conference, underscored this unwavering resolve, emphasizing that despite changes to Nissan's worldwide plans, the company's commitment to India remains steadfast and its local initiatives are progressing as scheduled. Nissan's global operations have been grappling with significant financial headwinds, with fiscal year 2024 seeing the company report a considerable net loss and a sharp decline in operating profit. In response to this, Nissan launched its comprehensive "RE: Nissan" recovery plan. The idea here is to drive efficiency and profitability across its operations by having job cuts, factory closures, and extensive cost reduction efforts. Also Read : Nissan bets big on 'RE: Nissan': Job cuts, next-gen cars. India's part in the play It is against this backdrop of global realignment that Nissan India's pronouncements gain further significance. Vatsa directly acknowledged these global shifts, stating emphatically that "Despite changes to global plans made to Nissan, Nissan India remains committed to announced plans and the plans are on track." He further clarified the manufacturing arrangement, explaining that while Renault now holds 100 per cent of the Chennai plant, Nissan has secured crucial production capacity through a contract manufacturing agreement. Vatsa explained that this allows Nissan India to convert fixed manufacturing costs into more flexible variable costs, enhancing agility and freeing up capital for future investments. Nissan India's ambitious plans for future Contrary to the recent reports, Vatsa emphasises that Nissan India is charting an aggressive growth trajectory, underpinned by a substantial €700 million (approximately ₹ 6,300 crore) investment primarily dedicated to new product development. This was announced earlier, and Vatsa pointed out that the investments are on track. The company has set ambitious production and sales targets, aiming to double annual sales to two lakh units by FY2026-27, with one lakh units designated for domestic sales and one lakh for exports. Vatsa affirmed that the Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL) plant in Chennai, with its total installed annual capacity of 4.8 lakh units, is sufficiently equipped to meet these mid-term goals, providing sufficient capacity for the next five years. Also Read : Nissan bets big on Magnite facelift to kickstart its turnaround journey Central to this expansion is a robust product pipeline. Nissan India had earlier announced its plans to launch a new seven seater B-segment MPV, which is likely to be based on the Renault Triber along with a 5 seater and seven seater C-Segment SUVs. The 7-seater B-segment MPV is expected in Q1 2026, while the 5-seater C-segment SUV slated for mid-2026, Vatsa confirmed. The C-Segment SUV will share its underpinnings with the upcoming Renault Duster. Additionally, a 7-seater C-segment SUV is planned for early 2027. According to Vatsa, this model will provide a unique design for both the outside and the inside and will not be just a stretched version of the 5-seater - indicating a wider strategic intent in the lucrative SUV segments. In addition to fresh models, Nissan India is looking to grow its physical presence - it intends to grow its dealership network from about 160 outlets to 180 by the end of 2025 and aims to end this fiscal year with 300 touchpoints. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 30 May 2025, 08:00 AM IST
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Indian pre-production of first South Africa-bound new Nissan starts
Confirmed for arrival in 2026, the first of two new SUVs will be based on existing Renault products assembled at Chennai Plant now wholly owned by the French brand. The first of two new Renault-based Nissan SUV will arrive in 2026. Both have been confirmed for South Africa. Image: Nissan With speculation continuing to grow about Nissan's alleged closing of its Rosslyn Plant outside Pretoria, the automaker has indicated that two of its three products bound for India have entered pre-production ahead of their market reveals next year. Nissan by Renault Teased back in March as part of its restructuring process that saw Ivan Espinosa replace Makoto Uchida as CEO, the initial pair of models consist of a Nissan-badged version of the Renault Triber and a restyled take on the new Duster. Not shown in the mentioned images, the incoming third model will use the Dacia Bigster as a base and could replace the X-Trail as a more affordable option in select developing markets. ALSO READ: Reports claim Rosslyn to be one of Nissan's plants facing closure A facility that had been of Nissan's biggest outside Japan and even North America, the plant currently produces the Kiger and Triber, as well as the Magnite for 65 markets in both right-and-left-hand-drive. In addition, it will soon produce the Duster currently made in Romania and Turkey, and by extension, the mentioned Nissan model. Plans for India Addressing Nissan's supposed market exit, Vatsa told Autocar India, 'I am also happy to say that all our product plans are on track and well underway and, in fact, pre-production of our upcoming B-MPV and C-SUV has already begun at the Renault plant in Chennai. 'Reports of our exit are all untrue, and there is no reason for us to exit. As you can see from our continued development of the Magnite and the new products planned, we are not pulling back from anything'. Nissan-badged version of the Renault Triber will go on-sale in India next year. Image: Nissan Confirming the Triber-based model as debuting in the first quarter of next year, Vatsa stated that the Duster underpinned model, which could revive the Terrano name used on a rebadged version of the original, would make its unveiling in mid-2026 and go on-sale soon after. Although sold exclusively with five-seats in Europe, Vatsa remarked that the Bigster derived Nissan, which will also become Chennai-assembled Renault, will be engineered from the start to have seven-seats as opposed to being a '5+2' model. Accordingly, this model will debut in 2027, suggesting the Renault version as either becoming a reality in late 2026 or early the next year ahead of the Nissan. Made in India for South Africa More significantly, both SUVs have received approval for South Africa, the former set to replace the Qashqai that quietly departed the local market last year. '[These] products will be Nissan's answer to the Chinese competition in South Africa. We believe [India] is a good source to bring competitive and technologically advanced to market,' Nissan Managing Director for South Africa and Independent African Markets, Maciej Klenkiewicz, told the media at the unveiling of the facelift Magnite in Cape Town last year. Dacia Bigster will become a Renault once production kicks-off in India. A local market debut is anticipated to happen either in 2026 or 2027. Image: Dacia A line-up also set to include the all-new Y63 Patrol in 2026, the alleged closure of Rosslyn, which currently only produces the Navara for South Africa and Sub-Saharan African markets, has so far not been commented on as one of the seven plants facing closure. This comes after the announcement of the Re:Nissan strategy by Espinosa that would see a reduction in production facilities from 17 to 10 and lead to job cuts of 20 000 on top of the 9 000 announced last year. Uncertain future Locally, the Rosslyn Plant, which has been in operation since 1966, employees an estimated 1 200 workers, which had been reduced by 400 in 2023 following the discontinuation of the NP200 and the shelving of its almost finished successor due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As it stands, Nissan South Africa has so far remained mum on the reported closing of Rosslyn, though, expectations are that an official an official announcement will be made in due course. NOW READ: New Patrol coming as Nissan releases fresh details for South Africa
India Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Nissan to launch new MPV, SUV, and 7-seater SUV in India by 2027
Nissan Motor India has unveiled plans to introduce three new vehicles in the Indian market by 2027. Dispelling all speculation about Nissan's exit, the company's Managing Director Saurabh Vatsa confirmed that the company will stay in India, with plans to launch three new models within the next two a media briefing, Vatsa stated, "Nissan has had a very long stint in India, and we are not going anywhere." Vatsa said that the upcoming models aren't merely rapid launches but well-thought-out, value-for-money vehicles, featuring bold styling and advanced will launch a subcompact MPV, a midsize SUV, and a 7-seater SUV, aiming to strengthen its position in India's competitive automotive market. Currently the company's portfolio consists of the Magnite and the X-Trail. According to Managing Director Saurabh Vatsa, these launches are part of a strategic push to boost domestic sales to 100,000 units annually and another 1,00,000 units for exports by FY27. "We are on track to go to 1,00,000 units domestic and 100,000 units export in FY27," Vatsa said. The first vehicle, a sub-4 metre 7-seater MPV, is set to launch in the first quarter of 2026 (January–March). Built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance's CMF-A+ platform, shared with the Renault Triber. The upcoming Nissan MPV is expected to be priced similarly to the Renault Triber, which is priced between Rs 6.15 lakh (ex-showroom) and Rs 8.97 lakh (ex-showroom). The Nissan MPV will likely offer a 1.0-litre petrol engine with manual and AMT options and is expected to offer CNG option as mid-2026, Nissan will launch a 5-seater SUV based on the CMF-B platform, sharing underpinnings with the upcoming Renault Duster. Designed to compete with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq, the upcoming Nissan 5-seater SUV will boast a look inspired by the Nissan Patrol. The third model, a 7-seater SUV, will arrive in early 2027, also on the CMF-B platform but with a longer wheelbase. Positioned to rival the Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV700, and Tata Safari. Unlike a stretched version of the 5-seater, this SUV will have a distinct three vehicles will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan Alliance's Chennai plant, where pre-production has already begun for the MPV and 5-seater SUV. Nissan is investing 700 million euros in these models and plans to expand its dealership network to 180 outlets by the end of 2025. By leveraging shared platforms, introducing new models, and catering to diverse consumer needs, Nissan aims to revitalise its brand and establish a stronger presence in the Indian market by to Auto Today Magazine
Hans India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
No plans to exit, affirms nissan India head
New Delhi: Automaker Nissan has no plans to exit the Indian market, a top company official said on Wednesday, rejecting reports speculating on the company's future in the country. The company on the contrary plans to introduce three new products in the Indian market by early part of 2027 and also aims to add 20 more dealerships this year. In a virtual press conference, Nissan Motor India MD Saurabh Vatsa said the company aims to have a multi-product portfolio and aims to sell one lakh units each in the domestic and export markets this fiscal. 'It is really important that I must put to rest any speculation that Nissan is planning to exit India and Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd (RNAIPL) stake dilution is an indication of that,' he stated. On March 31, this year, Renault announced to acquire partner Nissan's 51 per cent stake in their Indian manufacturing joint venture -- Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL) -- for an undisclosed noted that Nissan had a very long stint of around 60 years in India. 'It's very important to understand that we are absolutely well entrenched in India... our production plans, our future capacity all are in place. They are all secure, nothing is out of sync, we are here and we are here to stay,' he noted. He noted that the company will launch a seven-seater B-segment MPV in the first quarter of 2026 calendar year, followed by a C-SUV five- and seven-seater by early 2027. While acknowledging that few dealer parties have left the brand, Vatsa noted that the company has been bringing in new sales partners. 'We currently have around 160 sales outlets, we plan to end the year at 180 dealerships,' he said. Nissan said its Magnite SUV will now be available with a government-approved CNG retrofitment kit. The complete retrofitment will be available at competitive additional price of ₹74,999, the automaker said. The rollout of the CNG kit fitment will be done in a phased manner across the country, it said.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
New Nissan Magnite to come with CNG retrofitment kit
Reiterating its commitment to the Indian market, Japanese auto maker Nissan Motor India said it was on track to introduce three new models by early 2027 and increase domestic sales volume from 30,000 units in FY25 to one lakh units in FY27. It also said that during that year the company would achieve exports of 1 lakh vehicles from India. On Wednesday, the automaker announced that its new Nissan Magnite will be available with a government-approved CNG retrofitment kit from June 1, in seven States. The complete retrofitment will be available at competitive additional price of ₹74,999. It will later be expanded to other states across the country as part of Phase 2. The CNG kit option is available only with the New Nissan Magnite 1.0 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with manual gearbox. 'With a view to meet the requirements of customers, Nissan Dealers will provide an alternate fuel option in the form of a government-approved CNG retrofitment kit which will be carried out at the authorised fitment centres for customers. We are confident that this move will enhance the popular compact SUV's value proposition and practicality,' said Saurabh Vatsa, MD, Nissan Motor India. 'We are not going anywhere. We had divested from the manufacturing plant of the alliance In Chennai, but we have secured capacity and will continue to sell in the domestic market. Rumours are untrue,' Mr. Vatsa added. 'I am putting to rest any speculation. We are not going anywhere out of India. We are well entrenched in India for last 60 years,' he said.
