Nissan decides to discontinue the Datsun brand in India

• Image Credit: Internet

• Apr 20, 2022 | Poonam Nath

Nissan India confirmed the decision to phase out the Datsun brand in a statement "Datsun Redi-GO production has halted at the Chennai factory (Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd).

Digital Desk: Nissan announced on Wednesday that the Datsun brand would be taken out of India, nine years after the Company launched the brand's worldwide relaunch in the nation. 

After failing in its ambitious global relaunch of Datsun, Nissan decided to pull out of the brand in 2020 in Russia, Indonesia, South Africa and India, identified as crucial markets for the entry-level car sector.

Nissan India confirmed the decision to take out the Datsun brand in a statement "Datsun redi-GO production has halted at the Chennai factory (Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd). The model is still being sold (while supplies last)."

The Company further stated, "We can reassure all existing and future Datsun owners that customer satisfaction remains our priority, and we will continue to provide the highest levels of after-sales service, parts availability, and warranty support from our national dealership network."

The Japanese auto giant resurrected Datsun in India in July 2013, with the debut of the entry-level hatchback 'Datsun Go,' 32 years after the brand was dropped.

Datsun introduced two more models the next year: the Redi-GO and the tiny multi-purpose vehicle Go+. However, the brand failed to impact India's highly competitive compact car market, which Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai dominate.

When it was reintroduced, Carlos Ghosn, then-President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co, had high aspirations for Datsun to help the business increase its market share in India to 10% by 2016, up from 1.2 percent in 2013.

The brand, however, failed to live up to the hype, and Ghosn's departure hastened the Company's demise.

The brand was sold in 190 countries before being pulled out for the first time in 1986.

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