Zhengzhou Nissan to launch NV200 for LCV strategy

Shanghai, April 30 (Gasgoo.com) Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile (ZNA) took part in the 2008 Beijing auto show (April 20-28) along with Nissan Motor Co., and the question whether the ZNA will produce the Nissan concept car NV200 has attracted much media attention.

ZNA's chairman Zhu Fushou said that the Nissan venture will launch a model based on the NV200 in 2009 to cement the dual-brand LCV (light commercial vehicles) strategy in the partnership between Nissan and Dongfeng.

NV200

In September 2007, the Nissan Yumsun MPV and Dongfeng Oting SVU, both produced by ZNA, were launched together and made ZNA a major manufacturer of light commercial vehicles of Nissan and Dongfeng brands. With the release of Nissan's F91A light truck and X11M crossover MPV, and Dongfeng's C16A MPV in 2009, the product portfolio of ZNA will be further expanded.

As Nissan's most important China-based facility making commercial vehicles, ZNA has 51% stake of the venture, Dongfeng 28.651%, and Nissan 20.349%. Each of the three partners has their strong resources backing, and its majority shareholding will guarantee the rapid and healthy growth of ZNA in the auto industry.

The joint venture's current annual capacity of 60,000 vehicles will be boosted to 86,000 units next year. The second facility to be constructed soon will give ZNA an expected annual capacity of over 200,000 vehicles. The company will make the products of Nissan and Dongfeng on a 50-50 basis. MPVs and SUVs priced below 150,000 yuan ($2,150) will be likely manufactured by Zhengzhou Nissan.