At the virtual launch of the Magnite CNG, Nissan India MD Saurabh Vatsa refuted recent reports of its alleged exit from the Indian market, saying that the brand remains fully committed to 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,” Vatsa added.
New Nissan product launches
Upcoming MPV and SUV aside, new 7-seater SUV arriving in 2027
Vatsa said the launch of the MPV (based on the Renault Triber) would be in the first quarter of next year, while the SUV (Nissan’s version of the upcoming Duster) would arrive by the middle of next year. In response to a question from Autocar India, Vatsa shared that the 7-seat version of the SUV (due in 2027) would not simply be “a plus-2 configuration but a very different vehicle and engineered to be a proper 7-seater.”
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Besides the three new products, Nissan will continue to invest in the Magnite’s lifecycle, given that it currently exports the compact SUV to over 65 countries in both right-hand drive and left-hand drive configurations. “Starting this April, both engines in the Magnite are now E20-compliant,” said Vatsa, and “we will continue developing that product”.
Interestingly, despite Nissan’s recent X-Trail CBU failing to find buyers, Vatsa said that “multiple CBUs are also under active consideration”.
He ruled out diesel offerings in the short term and for the locally planned models while commenting, “Whether it’s hybrids, EVs or CNG, we are studying it all, and we will talk more about this in 2027 for the CAFE norms then.”
Nissan India investments
Investments being utilised for new product development
Emphasising Nissan’s commitment to India, Vatsa said, “Reports of our exit are all untrue, and there is no reason for us to exit.” He added that the company has already begun utilising its announced 700 million euro investment in India for its new product plans. Vatsa also said Nissan India is targeting annual production of 1,00,000 vehicles each for the domestic market and exports. “So, as you can see from our continued development of the Magnite and the new products planned, we are not pulling back from anything.”
Nissan India plant divestment
Plant divestment makes us agile, says Nissan
While Nissan has pulled out of its manufacturing alliance with Renault, Vatsa reiterated that this is to “make the brand more agile” and help both grow. When asked if Nissan’s product supply could be affected by this new arrangement, he replied, “Not at all. We have a wonderful partnership and agreement with Renault, and when we were in charge of the plant, there were no production-supply problems for either partner, so why should there be any now? Both are mature and capable and need each other for the plant’s viability.”
Nissan India future plans
Nissan's immediate future is baking on three shared products with its partner Renault.
Viability, though, is something its dealers are struggling with. Vatsa accepted this and the fact that Nissan has lost a couple of dealers. However, he said the company has 159 outlets, and plans are afoot for addressing dealer viability and fuelling Nissan’s network growth.
As things stand, Nissan’s immediate future in India remains quite clear. And with Renault investing in making the new Duster and the 7-seat SUV locally, it is natural for Nissan to carry on with its versions of these offerings. However, what will be crucial to Nissan’s long-term survival in India is how well these new products will be received, and here, both brands have their work cut out, given the vast array of choices in the segments they plan to enter.
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