Nissan Motor India Private Ltd (NMIPL) today announced that it has registered total sales of 1249 nos for the month of August 2010 as against 22 nos in August 2009.
Out of the 1249 nos, the sales of the new Nissan Micra were 1182 units in Aug 2010 as against 928 nos sold in July 2010. Out of the remaining, Nissan Teana, the luxury sedan (CBU) clocked 21 nos in Aug 2010 as against 10 nos in Aug 2009 and Nissan X-trail; the lifestyle SUV (CBU) registered sales of 44 units as against 12 nos in Aug 2009. Nissan also sold 2 nos of its iconic sports car, Nissan 370Z in Aug 2010. So far, the company has already sold 4 units of 370Z since its launch in January this year.
In August 2010, owing to the overwhelming demand for the top-end variant (XV) - almost over 65%, the company was encouraged to re-align its initial production schedule to cater to this growing need. This has led to increase in the delivery period, which the company hopes to control and manage in the coming months. The company has also started second shift of production in August 2010 at its manufacturing facility at Oragadam, near Chennai to cater to the demand between domestic and exports. The company is expected to commence its exports during this month.
The top variant of Nissan Micra boasts of category first features such as keyless entry (i-key), push-button engine start-stop system and electric foldable mirror. Another unique feature is the intelligent multi-display meter, which supplies drivers with real time fuel economy information, cruising range and outside temperature. In addition, the driver power windows are fitted with ‘one touch up/down’ feature along with a pinch guard. Nissan Micra also comes equipped with category first driver airbags across all its variants.
The sales order book for Nissan Micra has been progressively increasing and the company has received around 3600 bookings. With the increasing footprint of its dealership network, the company hopes to have a far-reaching impact across the country, thus providing more and more customers the joy of an ownership experience of Nissan products and services.
The Nissan Micra comes with a standard manufacturers’ warranty of 2 years/50,000kms (whichever is earlier). In order to understand customer needs and resolve their queries, Nissan has established ‘Nissan Care’ – A Customer Contact Centre. Customers can reach Nissan by dialing Toll-free No 1800-209-4080 or alternatively by writing an email to customercare.hai@email.nissan.in
As part of its after-sales commitment, in an effort to handhold the customers and provide them with round-the-clock assistance, Nissan has introduced a host of customer care and service schemes including Extended Warranty and Roadside Assistance for its products starting with the Micra.
Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt. Ltd. (RNAIPL) today announced that it has received ISO certifications for Quality - ISO 9001 and Environment Management system - ISO 14001. The plant has also received Homologation – whole vehicle type approval for European market in a short span of time from the Start of Production on 23rd May, 2010. RNAIPL receives these 3 certificates, at a significant time when it is ramping up production and gearing up to commence Export operations of its Global compact hatch - Nissan Micra.
Commenting on the receipt of ISO Certification, Mr. Akira Sakurai, M.D. and CEO RNAIPL, said, “Quality is always our primary focus and we wanted to achieve best quality from the very beginning of our operations. The certification has come in at a right time as we march ahead with our India operations and this is also a testimony to our quality excellence system and socio-environmental methodology that we have adopted at our Plant. We have already set a benchmark for construction of the plant and the receipt of ISO certification will add one more feather in our cap. “
Earlier, the ISO audit was done in two stages by Indian and German Certification Body Auditors (TUV and SUD) in the month of May and July. The plant, which follows the Alliance Production Way (Integration of Renault and Nissan Production Way) is aiming to achieve ‘Global Top Performer’ quality standards in 3 years. This is again an area where the Plant is looking to benchmark, as the current standard for ‘Global Top Performer’ is 4 years from the start of Production.
Hyundai Motor India, the country’s largest exporter and the second largest car manufacturer would be increasing the prices of its products by up to 1.2% across all models, from the 1st of September 2010. This increase is attributed to the increase in input costs.
Announcing the hike in prices, Mr. Arvind Saxena, Director, (Mktg. & Sales) Hyundai Motor India Ltd said, “There has been an increase in the input costs for car manufacturers. We have tried to absorb as much of the cost as we can, to cause as less inconvenience as possible to our valued customers.”
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), a part of the US $7.1 billion Mahindra Group, announced a strategic alliance with Shriram Automall (I) Ltd – Newlook Division, a pioneer and leader in the pre-owned commercial vehicles industry, today. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by both the parties, to facilitate an exchange programme which will enable M&M customers to exchange their old commercial vehicles with new commercial vehicles, from the company’s stable.
Under the aegis of this agreement, Shriram Automall – Newlook Division will work closely with M&M to evaluate and procure the old vehicles of M&M customers, under exchange. Shriram Automall – Newlook Division will service all the exchange inquiries within twenty-four hours, through its local representatives. Further, the old vehicles procured by Shriram Automall - Newlook Division would be refurbished and sold as per Shriram Automall - Newlook Division’s discretion, through its own network. Initially, this exchange program will be operative in the four southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala and will be subsequently extended to all the key markets.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Arun Malhotra – Sr. Vice President – Sales & Customer Care, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, ”With the launch of several products in the Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) range, we were keen to increase the commitment to our customers in this segment. Hence, through this partnership, we intend to drive synergies between both the businesses. Our endeavour is to leverage our strong distribution network of over 200 dealerships and Shriram Automall - Newlook Division’s expertise in this space, to enhance our value proposition to our customers. Going forward we are confident that this will expand the overall market and chart a new path for the industry. “
According to Mr.Gunasekaran, President, Shriram Automall (Newlook Division) "M&M and Shriram Automall – Newlook Division share a common desire—to provide customers with quality and cost effective solutions in the pre-owned commercial vehicles segment, which is currently operating through unorganized networks. Being the only organized player in the pre-owned commercial vehicle segment, we foresee a steady growth in this market. Through our collaboration with M&M we intend to capitalize on this growing segment”
