Nissan has revised the target for component sourcing from India to $25-30 million (Rs 113-135 crore) for the current fiscal. The initial target was $10 million and it has been revised upwards.
“We will export components we source from India to our centres in China, Japan and Thailand. We will source components worth $25-30 million from India for the fiscal ending March 2011,” Mr Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director and CEO, Nissan Motor India, told Business Line.
Nissan sources components including drive plate, oil pump, starter motor, break pedal and clutch pedal from India. Of the total volume of components, Nissan's Parts Consolidation Centre in Chennai will source from India, about 50 per cent will be from its vendors in Chennai, while 30 per cent will be from Delhi and the rest from Pune and Bangalore.
Nissan, which manufacturers Micra in India, will launch a sedan version of the same in next financial year. Nissan will manufacture three models in India, including a seven-seater multi purpose vehicle (MPV) scheduled to be launched next year. The company sells a premium sedan Teana, SUV X-tra and Sports car 370z, all imported as completely built units.
The MPV, which will be a joint venture product of Nissan and Ashok Leyland, will be pitched against Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo and Tata's recently launched seven-seater, Winger Platinum.
Price hike
About a possible price increase, Mr Tokuyama said, “We are facing pressure on the raw material side. However, price increase is the last option.” He reiterated Nissan's plans for a small car below the range of Micra. “We are seeing a good demand for such a car. It is in concept stage,” he said.
On launching Nissan's electric car, Leaf, he said, “The Government offering incentives for electric vehicles is a positive sign. Still, we need better infrastructure more government support.”
Micra diesel
Nissan launched the diesel version of its hatchback Micra in Mumbai on Friday at Rs 5.86 -6.34 lakh range. The diesel version is costlier by around Rs 60,000 than the petrol version. The diesel version claims a mileage of 23 km a litre. Mr Manoj Kumar, Vice-President, Hover Automotive, that distributes and markets Nissan products, said 36 Nissan dealerships would be operational by the end of the current fiscal, while the target is to have 100 dealers by 2013.
