NEW DELHI, India – Nissan India expanded its successful exports program to an additional market with the introduction of Datsun GO+ to South Africa. Sales of the Datsun GO+, produced at the Renault-Nissan Alliance plant in Oragadam near Chennai, will begin in September in South Africa.
These Datsun GO+ shipments to South Africa are the latest example of the Chennai plant exports advancing the company's presence in India and globally, and further enhances Nissan's position as a major contributor to "Make in India."
"We are delighted to see the Datsun GO+, manufactured with pride at the Renault-Alliance plant in Chennai, introduced for sale in South Africa," said Guillaume Sicard, president, Nissan India Operations. "Following on the success of the India-built Datsun GO's launch into the small car segment in South Africa, the GO+ is another example of our 'Make in India' models' making a mark in overseas markets. Our exports continue to help Nissan build its presence in India and grow the local economy."
Since operations began at the plant in 2010 over 620,000 cars have been exported overseas. Currently, the Chennai plant exports vehicles to 106 countries around the world. Recent models for export include Datsun GO, Datsun GO+, Datsun redi-GO and Nissan Sunny – among others. Most recently, exports of Datsun redi-GO cars produced in Chennai went on sale in Nepal in July. This was followed by the redi-GO leading the Datsun brand's return to the market in Sri Lanka in August.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance Chennai plant plays an essential role in the development of Nissan Motor Corporation's business in India. The export of Datsun GO+ to South Africa signifies the increasing popularity of India-made Nissan products for export markets, as well as the skill and dedication of the Chennai plant employees. The plant has a capacity to produce up to 480,000 units per year. It is a major contributor to the local economy and has created over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The launch in South Africa of the Datsun GO+ mark Datsun's ongoing commitment to broaden the brand's reach in global markets. Datsun continues to expand its range to the benefit of local motorists by offering them a growing family of Datsun products that meet the varying needs of each local market at an attractive price.
About Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd.
Nissan Motor India Private Ltd. (NMIPL) is a 100-percent subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Japan. The company was incorporated in 2005 and offers innovative and exciting products across hatchback, MUV, SUV and sedan segments in India. Nissan together with its global alliance partner Renault set up a manufacturing plant and a Research & Development Centre near Chennai. Nissan in India has a portfolio of two brands, Nissan and Datsun. For more information, visit www.nissan.in.
About Datsun
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the return of the Datsun brand, Nissan's third global brand alongside Nissan and Infiniti, in March 2012. Datsun provides a sustainable motoring experience to optimistic up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets. Datsun represents 80 years of accumulated Japanese car-making expertise and is an important part of Nissan's DNA. The new Datsun brand stands for Dream, Access and Trust. The overall Datsun customer offer includes a worry-free ownership experience at competitive cost, accessible services, with transparent pricing and dealership proximity. Datsun cars are on sale now in India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa
Datsun History
Datsun originated in Japan as DAT-GO (the DAT-car) almost a century ago in 1914. The word DAT means 'lightning-fast' in Japanese but is also a reference to the first letters of family names of the three financiers who supported the business at the time: Den, Aoyama and Takeuchi. Using the same logic, it was promoted as Durable, Attractive and Trustworthy, or DAT for short.
In 1933, Nissan's founding father Yoshisuke Aikawa took over the business with a vision of "mobility for all." The introduction of a lightweight, economical yet resilient car to meet the aspirations of young Japanese people in the early 1930s was named the "Son of DAT" – Datson – which later changed to Datsun. Local engineering and mass-production made the founder's dream a reality.
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Contact
Rahul Mathur / Ankita Lal
Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd.
Mobile: + 91 9818623680/ +91-9910880112
rahul.mathur@email.nissan.in / ankita.lal@email.nissan.in
Madhulika Singh / Sheetal Jobanputra
20:20 MSL / Publicis Consultants Asia
Mobile: +91 9999673459 / + 91 7498657712
madhulika.singh@2020msl.com / sheetal.jobanputra@publicisconsultants-asia.com