Nissan to launch GT-R roadster in China in '09

Nissan Motor Co., one's of largest carmakers in Japan, intends to introduce its high-end roadster Nissan GT-R into China in 2009 and sell via the sales network of its joint venture Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company.

Ren Yong, vice general manager of Dongfeng Nissan, discloses that the venture has become a pillar research and development bases of Nissan Motor around the world, and has incorporated into the R&D system of Nissan series of models.

Dongfeng Nissan has realized the localized production of several flagship models of Nissan Motor and will likely start manufacturing Nissan's CVT gearboxes in China from 2009.

Although the market was tough, Dongfeng Nissan sold more than 350,000 cars in China in 2008 and is the only one of the top ten passenger vehicle makers that has achieved its original annual goal.

The company's sales were bright in the first three months of 2009, hitting 95,833 cars, up 28.9% year on year.