Ghosn confirms return of Datsun brand; targeting high-growth markets

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced the return of the Datsun brand as Nissan’s third global brand, alongside Nissan and Infiniti. Nissan had phased out the brand in 1986. Nissan will target Datsun models on “optimistic up-and-coming customers” in high-growth markets, he said. Datsun vehicles will start sales in India, Indonesia, and Russia from 2014.

Ghosn made the announcement during remarks on a trip to Jakarta, Indonesia to announce measures to strengten Nissan’s production base and sales presence there.

Nissan’s total capacity will increase to 250,000 annually there by 2014, with the workforce expanding to 3,300, and sales outlets are planned to increase to 150 by 2015.

The new plan will make Nissan’s Cikampek site, located 80 kilometers outside of Jakarta, one of the largest production facilities in the ASEAN region for Nissan.

In 2011, 890,000 vehicles were sold in Indonesia, for the first time making the nation ASEAN’s largest car market. Nissan is in line to achieve its sales objectives of 60,000 units for fiscal year 2011. Indonesia total industry volume is estimated to increase nearly double by 2017 compared to 2010, largely driven by the introduction of the Green Car program now being drafted by the Indonesian government. Nissan strongly supports the program and looks forward to its speedy ratification.

On 19 March, Ghosn met Indonesia president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and reiterated Nissan’s commitment to the nation’s motorization.

Source: Green Car Congress