"WE'RE HERE TO STAY AND GROW"

In an exclusive conversation with UTKARSH AGARWAL, SAURABH VATSA, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, talks about the company's growth plans, how it is navigating change while staying rooted in its long-term India vision, and much more. Excerpts

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Nissan plans to introduce an affordable electric SUV in India by 2026. Could you elaborate on the progress, anticipated features, and how this aligns with India's EV infrastructure and consumer expectations?

We are currently studying a variety of alternate technologies because Indian customers are looking for different and cleaner fuel options. We believe India's transition to cleaner fuels will involve a combination of technologies rather than relying on just one. We have already started working in the same direction. Continuing the EV adoption in India, if you look at the numbers, it is around 2 to 2.5 per cent of the total industry volume, but we expect growth here could outpace global trends. We're carefully timing the launch of our locally made electric SUV to match real customer demand and the evolving EV infrastructure. Details of the affordable EV remain under study, and we'll share more updates in due course.

The company intends to expand its product lineup from two to five models, including C-segment SUVs, a B-MPV, and an electric SUV. How will these additions cater to the evolving preferences of Indian consumers?