Next-gen Nissan Micra to go on sale by 2016

The next-generation Micra or March, as it is badged in some markets, will be unveiled in 2016. Nissan has ambitiously planned to position the car to cover a wider range in the hatchback segment and will try and target the VW Polo and Hyundai i20. 

Talking about the car, Nissan’s product Chief Andy Palmer said, “The Micra will be a car designed for Europe, rather than for global sale, but with a concentration on achieving emerging market success. However, it won’t be a car that’s cute. We see it as a car that can sit easily next to the Ford Fiesta or VW Polo.”

Nissan has outlined a plan according to which the2016 version of the hatchback will be manufactured for the LHD market at Renault's Flins plant in France. Back in 2011, the Japanese car makerhad revealed its 'Nissan Power 88' six-year business plan. It had set a target of amassing an eight per cent global market and to increase its profits to eight per cent by the end of 2016. Production at the French unit helps the company by reducing its foreign exchange exposure, working capital, as the capital expense. The RHD versions will continue to be produced at their manufacturing plant at Oragadam, near Chennai, which has a capacity of producing four lakh units per annum.

The facelifted Micra along with a cut-price version, the Micra Active had been launched in July last year. Both the cars retained the V-platform and the overall design, though, unlike the Active, the faceliftalso gota few cosmetic changes. The revised grille has a honeycomb design and features a Nissan logo surrounding a V-shaped slat, similar to the one on the Juke crossover. Starting at Rs 3.5 lakh for the Active version, the Micra range goes upto Rs 7.21 lakh for the top-of-the-line model, competing in both B and B+ segments.

Source : AutocarIndia