At the virtual launch of the Magnite CNG, Nissan India MD Saurabh Vatsa refuted recent reports of its alleged exit from the Indian market, saying that the brand remains fully committed to India. “I am also happy to say that all our product plans are on track and well underway and, in fact, pre-production of our upcoming B-MPV and C-SUV has already begun at the Renault plant in Chennai,” Vatsa added.
New Nissan product launches
Upcoming MPV and SUV aside, new 7-seater SUV arriving in 2027
Vatsa said the launch of the MPV (based on the Renault Triber) would be in the first quarter of next year, while the SUV (Nissan’s version of the upcoming Duster) would arrive by the middle of next year. In response to a question from Autocar India, Vatsa shared that the 7-seat version of the SUV (due in 2027) would not simply be “a plus-2 configuration but a very different vehicle and engineered to be a proper 7-seater.”
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The upcoming C-SUV and B-MPV are on track for launch in 2026.
Further to the three new products, Nissan will also continue to invest in the Magnite lifecycle given that the compact SUV is currently exported to over 65 countries in both right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive configuration. “Starting this April both engines in the Magnite are now E20 compliant” said Vatsa and “we will continue developing that product”.
Interestingly despite its recent X-Trail CBU failing to find buyers, Vatsa says that “multiple CBU’s are also under active consideration.”
While Vatsa ruled out diesel models in the short term and for the locally planned models, he did not rule out EV’s or hybrids and said “whether it’s hybrids, EVs or CNG, we are studying it all and we will talk more about this in 2027 for the CAFE norms then.”
Nissan India Investments
Investments being utilised for new product development
Renault recently took full control of its Indian manufacturing JV with Nissan.
Doubling down on its commitment to India, Vatsa said “reports of our exit are all untrue and there is no reason for us to exit,” adding that the company’s previously announced 700 million investment in India has already begun to be utilized for its new product plans. Vatsa also said Nissan India is targeting a production of 100,000 vehicles for the domestic market and the same number for exports in the calendar year FY26-27. “So, as you can see from our continued development of the Magnite and the new products planned, we are not pulling back from anything.”
Nissan India plant divestment
Plant divestment makes us agile, says Nissan
While Nissan has pulled out of its manufacturing alliance with Renault, Vatsa reiterated that this is to “make the brand more agile” and help both partners grow. When asked if Nissan product supply could get affected by this new arrangement Vatsa said, “Not at all, we have a wonderful partnership and agreement with Renault and when we were in-charge of the plant, there was no production – supply problems for either partner, so why should there be any now? Both partners are mature nd capable and need each other for the plants viability”
Nissan India future plans
Nissan’s immediate future is baking on three shared products with its partner Renault
Viability though is something its dealers are currently struggling with. Vatsa accepted this and the fact that Nissan has lost a couple of dealers. However, Vatsa says that the company has 159 outlets currently and plans are afoot for addressing dealer viability and fuelling Nissan’s further network growth.
As things stand, Nissan’s immediate future in India remains quite clear and with its partner Renault investing in making the new Duster 5 and 7 seat SUV locally, it is natural for Nissan to also carry on with their versions of the same. However, what will be crucial to Nissan’s long-term survival in India is how well these new products will be received, and here Nissan, as well as Renault, have their work cut out given the wide array of choice in the segments they plan to enter.
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