Nissan mulling to develop a small car with Ashok Leyland

Nissan Motors, Japan based leading car maker, is mulling the option of joining hands with Ashok Leyland for launching a new small car in the Indian market. The company said in a statement on Tuesday that it may tie-up with the Hinduja Group owned firm Ashok Leyland for launching a global compact car in India. The Nissan group is already in the process of launching a light commercial vehicle (LCV) in the Indian market in partnership with Ashok Leyland, by year 2011.



In March 2010, both Nissan and Ashok Leyland were in talks for the development of a global small car in the price range of around $4,500-5,000. The company has indicated that the new compact-car will be its flagship model in markets like Indian and China, where there is a high growth potential in the small car segment. Besides India and China, the company will possibly launch this car in foreign markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia and some more Latin American nations.

Mr Collin Dodge, Executive Vice-President of the company has said that the new global small car could be positioned between the Tata Nano at the lower end and Maruti Swift at the upper end. The new small car will be competing with popular cars in India of this segment including best selling Maruti Alto, Maruti Wagon R, recently launched Chevrolet Beat, Volkswagen Polo and Ford Figo, and upcoming Toyota Etios.

Moreover, Nissan India is in the final stage of the launch of its much awaited compact hatchback Micra which will be launched in the month of July 2010. The model is already available for display and bookings at company's showrooms across India.

Source:- Nissan mulling to develop a small car with Ashok Leyland - New Cars