Production of new Dongfeng Nissan Venucia car to begin this month

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai March 5) - Dongfeng Nissan's first model in the Venucia own brand range, the D50, will be coming to the market this month, Beijing News quoted sources from the joint venture as saying. According to these sources, the D50 will begin rolling off the assembly lines of the JV's new factory in Zhengzhou, Henan on March 20, a month earlier than previously reported.

Dongfeng Nissan has set a sales target of 74,000 units this year for the D50 (pictured). Carrying a price tag under 100,000 yuan ($15,891), the D50 will be specifically targeted at second- to third-tier markets. The D50 is based off the Yida version of the Nissan Tiida, and inherits several of its design aesthetics. They both share roughly the same measurements, with the D50 being slightly longer. The D50 will be powered by a 1.6 L engine with a maximum output of 109 hp and able to produce up to 153 Nm of torque. 

The joint venture has begun laying the groundwork for the Venucia brand more than a year ago. Each of the over 100 dealers authorized to carry the car has received aid of at least two million yuan ($318,809). Construction on three of the Venucia dealers to be located in Beijing has already been completed.

Dongfeng Nissan hopes to see its sales in third- and fourth-tier markets double this year. The Venucia brand will play an important role in helping the JV achieve this goal.