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Nissan is gearing up for a mid-life refresh of its popular compact SUV, the Magnite, as part of its strategy to sustain its presence in India until the introduction of midsize SUVs in 2025. The Japanese automaker plans to focus on exports of the refreshed Magnite to bolster its position in the Indian market.
The Magnite facelift, set to launch around mid-2024, is not just intended for the Indian market but will be a global offering. The company aims to capitalize on the success of the Magnite, which has garnered significant demand globally, especially in regions like South Africa. Nissan plans to enhance its overseas business from India by exporting the Magnite to Left Hand Drive (LHD) markets such as Mexico. Furthermore, Nissan intends to explore opportunities in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Francois Bailly, Chief Planning Officer of the global business unit at Nissan Motor Corporation, emphasized the success of the Magnite locally and in South Africa. He stated, “The Magnite SUV has been very well received, and it is being demanded in many markets around the world. Today, we just have a right-hand drive version, with the left-hand drive version, many markets will open up, we will explore markets in Africa, the Middle East, LatAM, Mexico, as we feel we have a car that fits very well for those markets.”
In an effort to optimize plant utilization, Nissan has extended the life of its Sunny midsize sedan, which will continue to be exported to the Middle East beyond 2023. This strategy ensures that Nissan maintains production activity as it currently sells only one model in India, and this will persist for the next two years.
The export of the left-hand drive Magnite holds the potential to bring in incremental production volumes of about 40,000 to 50,000 units, significantly boosting Nissan’s presence in India. Bailly highlighted India’s significance in Nissan’s future plans, anticipating a more substantial role for the country once midsize SUVs and A-segment electric vehicles are introduced between 2025 and 2027.
Regarding future powertrains, Nissan is actively considering multiple options, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), E-Power hybrid technology, and pure battery electric vehicles (BEV). While recognizing India’s shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), Bailly mentioned that Nissan is exploring the relevance of various technologies until EVs gain significant traction. The E-Power Hybrid technology is a key consideration for meeting regulatory requirements related to fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Nissan is committed to adapting its strategy to align with India’s evolving automotive landscape, ensuring a sustainable and competitive presence in the market.
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