Nissan revives Datsun brand in India with hatchback 'Go'

Nissan, the Japanese automaker, revived its Datsun brand in India after 32 years with the unveiling of its new hatchback 'Go' on Monday.

Datsun is the third brand for Nissan Motor Company along with the premium Infinity brand. The brand sold 20 million cars in more than 190 countries before being phased out in early 1980s.

According to Nissan, the brand is aimed at emerging markets like India, Russia, South Africa and Indonesia.

'Go', the "car for the 21st century" has been engineered in India and will be launched in India early 2014, priced under Rs 4 lakh.

"This is a historic day for Nissan Motor Company and for our customers and partners in some of the world's fastest-growing markets," said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor president and CEO, while unveiling the car.

Nissan plans to gain 10 per cent of the Indian car market by 2016 and the Datsun brand will play a leading role.

"We have a market share of little over 1.2 per cent in India at present... Datsun can play a significant role in this (attaining of 10 per cent market share)," Ghosn said, adding that the brand was part of a strategy to increase sales from emerging markets.

'Go' will come with a 1.2 litre engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission and promises to seat five occupants in comfort.

While unveiling the car, Ghosn said "it's an exciting moment for many women and men here in India who today come one step closer to realising the dream of purchasing a car."

He said the Indian car market is expected to be 4 million by 2016

With inputs from IANS