Japanese auto major Nissan Motor Company on Tuesday said it may partner Ashok Leyland for launching a global compact car in India.
“Compact car is a segment in which we want to compete. We are in the conceptual phase. We are still talking to a number of potential partners,” Nissan Motor Company Senior Vice-President, Mr Andrew Palmer, said.
He was in the city to announce Nissan’s detailed roadmap for launching light commercial vehicles in the country by 2011 in partnership with commercial vehicle-maker Ashok Leyland.
“For this market (India), we haven’t decided (about the partner), but clearly, one of very good candidates is my colleague sitting next to me”, Mr Palmer said referring to Hinduja automotive executive vice-chairman, Mr V. Sumantran.
Palmer, however, said that they have not decided on which markets to enter and also with what products at what time.
Earlier in March, Nissan had announced that it was talking to Ashok Leyland for developing a global small car that could be priced around $4,500-5,000.
The company’s Executive Vice-President, Mr Collin Dodge, said China would be the lead market for such a car, followed by India.
Other countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia and some more Latin American nations could also be possible markets for the global small car.
In India, the car could be positioned between Nano at the lower end and Maruti Swift at the upper end and would compete with the likes of the Alto from Maruti Suzuki, Mr Dodge said.
Commenting on their operations in the South Korean market, where the company had intended to buy cash-strapped SsangYong Motor, Mr Palmer said Nissan would decide about its operations in the country after the bidding process is complete.
“Nissan is leading the bid, as we have interest in Renault and RSM is also included,” he added. —PTI