Nissan Micra to retain its name

The new Nissan Micra will retain its name, Autocar India has learned. The car is still officially being referred to by Nissan as the "all-new Global Compact Car", but company sources have informed that it will continue to be called the Nissan Micra or Nissan March according to which market it is sold in.

The first versions of the new 'Micra' supermini are likely to hit the road in May in India, where the car is being built at all-new factory based in Chenai. A year later a saloon version is set to be launched. In addition, a mini-MPV sharing many of the same mechanicals and built on the new V (versatile) platform will appear in 2012.

Nissan’s new global compact car is planned to be manufactured in five countries, including India, Thailand, China and Mexico, with the production commencing by May 2010 in India. This car will also be made available in more than 150 countries.

More controversially company insiders have indicated that the next generation Renault Clio, also set to be based on the V-platform, could end up being built in India too. This is a move that’s set to upset fiercely patriotic French buyers.

In addition, the company has confirmed that the Nissan Juke, Nissan Leaf, updated Nissan Qashqai, refreshed Nissan Pathfinder and Navara and the Nissan 370Z Roadster will be on display.