Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corp. is gearing up for a significant offensive in India, aiming to reverse its fortunes in the world's third-largest car market. The company has announced an aggressive strategy involving a product blitz and a massive expansion of its sales network over the next two to three years.
A Three-Pronged Attack for Market Revival
Nissan's revival plan rests on two critical pillars: new products and wider reach. The company, which currently relies solely on the Magnite SUV in India, plans to introduce three new vehicles by 2027. This will increase the model count in its showrooms from one to four. The first of these, the newly unveiled compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) called Gravite, is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter (January-March) of the current financial year.
It will be followed by the Nissan Tekton, a compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), next year. A third model, a yet-to-be-detailed seven-seater SUV, is slated for a 2027 debut. This product offensive is designed to tap into high-growth segments of the Indian market where Nissan has been absent.
Massive Expansion of Sales and Service Footprint
To support these launches and improve customer accessibility, Nissan is undertaking a substantial expansion of its physical presence. The company aims to grow its showroom count from the current 150 to 250 by the end of the financial year 2027. This network expansion will be complemented by a parallel scaling up of its human resources.
The sales force is targeted to expand from about 800 personnel to 3,000 over the same period. Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director of Nissan India, emphasized that this dual strategy of new models and network growth is crucial for the brand's 'resurgence' in the country. The company is also investing in brand-building initiatives to reclaim a spot in the consideration set of Indian car buyers.
An Uphill Battle in a Competitive Market
Nissan's ambitious plan comes at a time when the brand holds less than a 0.5% share of the Indian passenger vehicle market. Data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) shows that between April and November, Nissan's sales fell by 29% year-on-year to 13,258 units, even as the overall market grew by 3% to 2.8 million units.
Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson of Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania), identified India as a key pillar for the company's global recovery. He stated that with new models developed in and for India, coupled with exports to international markets, India remains both a growth driver and a strategic hub for the Nissan Alliance.
The Nissan Alliance is the collaborative framework between Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. The company's revival bid mirrors similar efforts by other foreign carmakers like Honda, Renault, and Skoda, who are also launching new products and expanding networks to recover lost ground in India's fiercely competitive auto sector.
This India push coincides with Nissan's broader global restructuring. Earlier this year, the company's global CEO, Ivan Espinosa, announced plans to shutter seven factories worldwide and cut 11,000 jobs to protect profits, following an 88% plunge in operating profit for the last fiscal year.
