Plans in place for 1 million units to be produced annually
These developments will see Nissan become a leader in the field of commercial vehicles. It is anticipated that the company will be producing (selling) more than 1 million units annually by the end of fiscal year 2013.
This growth will be fed by an aggressive new product plan that promises three new models every year from 2011 to 2013 inclusive. Complementing the avalanche of new models, the company is following on its market expansion strategy. In the last few years the Nissan LCV business was extended to markets as important as China and Russia, and plans were made to enter key regions, including India and North America. In 2010, the plans to enter these latter markets will become reality. The NV heavy van series will be launched in the US and Canada, while the joint venture constituted with Ashok Leyland will launch vehicles in India under the Nissan and Ashok Leyland brands.
By the end of 2012, Nissan expects to be selling its commercial vehicles in 94 per cent of the world market segments, making it a truly global LCV player.
An enhanced and more relevant product line-up is being matched by improvements in customer service and satisfaction. While partnerships with world leading companies are being actively promoted.
Nissan is also developing the first global affordable electric LCV for mass production. Building on experience and expertise gained with the development of the Nissan LEAF passenger car, sales of which start in Europe at the end of 2010, Nissan aims to bring emission-free light vans to the cities of the world in 2013.
The move will allow businesses to grow commercially without adversely affecting the environment while also allowing access to parts of the city likely to be denied conventional vehicles at some point in the not-too-distant future.
Hanover also sees some major new models and innovations for the present and immediate future. The show witnesses the world unveiling of Nissan’s new NV400, a big brother to the award winning NV200, playing in the heavy van segment.
Nissan presents at Hannover upgraded versions of the 1.5l diesel engine available on the NV200. They are Euro 5 compliant and offer increased power output.
Nissan has long pioneered intelligent technology in its passenger vehicles developing advanced features that serve a real purpose rather than gimmicks with showroom appeal but limited use in the real world.
Now two of those technologies are being made available on Nissan’s LCVs. The first is the highly praised Around View Monitor which is being made available on NV200. Around View Monitor uses exterior cameras to monitor the area around the vehicle. But while individual images can show the space behind the vehicle or to either side, Around View Monitor is much more than a reversing camera – when the images are merged the screen shows a bird’s eye view of the vehicle allowing inch-perfect parking and safe manoeuvering in tight city streets.
The second technology, now available on Cabstar, is Nissan’s affordable and highly effective CONNECT IT system. It incorporates navigation guidance in nine languages via a five-inch touch screen interface, integrated Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and a variety of audio inputs to complement the AM/FM radio and single CD player.
“Nissan is now established as a serious global LCV player and aims at expanding its role further with real world innovations that support businesses in their daily activity. NV400 marks a significant step forward for Nissan and offers customers the widest possible choice of vehicles to suit their needs,” said Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice President, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
“We are further strengthening NV200’s status as International Van of the Year 2010 with new versions while the arrival of intelligent technology such as the Around View Monitor, CONNECT and iPhone applications, helps to lift Nissan’s vans and trucks above the rivals. We have an ambitious vision and, as with passenger cars, will be the first to market with advanced, environmentally friendly yet totally practical electric light commercial vehicles. Truly, this is the dawn of a new era for Nissan,” added Gilles Normand.
