Nissan to launch 10 models in four years

Japanese carmaker Nissan plans to launch 10 new models in India by 2016, as it increases its focus on emerging markets.

The new launches would include new products from its Datsun lineup. Nissan is reviving its Datsun brand three decades after shelving the brand that helped build its US business. Datsun debuted in Japan in 1932, and hit American showrooms more than 50 years ago. It was discontinued globally starting in 1981 to unify the model lineup under the Nissan brand. Nissan also makes Infiniti luxury models.

India would be one of the three markets where Datsun will go on sale from 2014.

Nissan is looking at expanding its production capacity in India, either through new plants or the existing plant at Chennai.

Nissan is aiming at around 8 per cent market share globally and it plans to introduce 51 new models globally by 2015-16.

"Expansion in emerging markets, BRICS is key to achieve this goal of 8 per cent global market share. India is a significant market for us. We will launch 10 new models by FY16, which is introducing two new models every year," said Nissan Motor Co Corporate Vice-President (Africa, Middle East and India) Toru Hasegawa.

Nissan is targeting to have 60 per cent of its total global sales from emerging markets by FY16 as compared to just 40 per cent in FY07.