4:30 pm, March 20, 2012
NISSAN today announced measures to reintroduce the legendary Datsun name in key emerging markets.
The announcement comes as the Japanese automaker plans to expand its production base and sales performance in Indonesia.
Total manufacturing capacity in Indonesia will increase to 250,000 annually by 2014, with the workforce at Nissan’s factory there expanding to 3,300. The number of sales outlets will increase to 150 by 2015.
CEO Carlos Ghosn met Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono this week and reiterated Nissan’s commitment to the country’s car market.
‘Nissan is bringing new jobs and new vehicles to Indonesia,’ said Ghosn, pictured. ‘We are going to expand our production capability and offer a new and exciting product line here.’
The new plan will make Nissan’s Cikampek site, located 50 miles outside Jakarta, one of the largest production facilities in the region for Nissan.
In 2011, 890,000 vehicles were sold in Indonesia. Nissan is in line to achieve its sales objectives of 60,000 units for fiscal year 2011.
News of Datsun’s return was revealed while Ghosn was talking to reporters. It’s Nissan’s third global brand, alongside Nissan and Infiniti – and the news follows Alliance partner Renault’s announcement that budget brand Dacia will be introduced to the UK this year.
Datsun will provide a ‘sustainable motoring experience’ to up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets. The cars will be sold in Indonesia, Russia and India from 2014.
