9:58 am, July 16, 2013
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FTER an absence of nearly 30 years, the Datsun name has returned.
The first car to wear the name is the Go city car which is set to go on sale in India in early 2014 as an accessible budget run-around.
The Nissan-owned brand is being positioned as an entry point into emerging markets with its newly-launched website saying: ‘The return of Datsun didn’t start with what cars to launch, but with the people, the Risers. Young Risers in high-growth markets who are ahead of the curve.’
Powering the new Go will be a 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It’ll come with a price tag of 400,000 Indian rupees, equivalent to under £4,500.
Nissan expects India to be one of Datsun’s most successful markets, with the new budget brand set to make up 50 per cent of its total sales by 2016.
A range of Datsun models will be introduced, with the brand preparing to expand to Indonesia, Russia and South Africa before the end of 2014.
Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn said: ‘We’re bringing Datsun back and giving it a modern shape, with modern technology that is particularly aimed at the high-growth market, addressing the segments where Nissan has no offer.
‘Datsun is a complementary offer to Nissan and particularly in addressing younger consumers, rising consumers, consumers who are accessing the car market for the first time.’
Click here to find out why Datsun won’t be coming to the UK.
