Nissan preps $6,700 hatchback for India, emerging markets

Nissan's latest affront on the developing world comes with a rock-bottom price: $6,700.

That's the starting price of the new Datsun Go when it goes on sale next year in India. The five-seat hatchback is built at Renault-Nissan's plant in Chennai. Datsun, the former name of Nissan now envisioned as a low-cost sub-brand, is here to attack the bottom-tier manufacturers sold in emerging markets -- the Tatas, Cherys, Protons and other automakers that cannot sell their vehicles in wealthier markets like Europe, Japan and the United States.

As such, the Go is basic transportation that harkens back to the early 1990s, and while Nissan hasn't released specifications, safety and comfort will be at a bare minimum. Think no ABS, stability control, side airbags, radio or air conditioning. Forget any power accessories, including the mirrors. Still, the Go will certainly be constructed better than the rear-engined Tata Nano, which is $4,000 cheaper. A 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine off the base Nissan Micra will be standard, with only 75 horsepower on tap.

Later in 2014, the Go will also go on sale in Indonesia, Russia and South Africa -- the markets with new middle class buyers with just enough income for a new car. Nissan has not announced plans to sell Datsun in other countries, although Brazil, Mexico and other countries in Latin America could come later. The cheapest Nissan on sale in the United States, the Versa sedan, starts at $12,780.


“This is an historic day for Nissan Motor Company and for our customers and partners in some of the world's fastest-growing markets. It's also an exciting moment for many women and men here in India who – today – come one step closer to realizing the dream of purchasing a car," said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn in a statement at the car's unveiling Monday.

Nissan wants to grab eight percent of the global market by 2016 as part of its business plan to increase operating profits to that same amount. In Indonesia alone, Nissan has spent $395 million to expand a plant it expects will build 250,000 cars per year by 2014.


[Source: Nissan]


Source: MSN