NISSAN’S MAGIC TRAIL LEADS TO INDIA

Nissan is set to make its India entry with its technology-Iaden X-Trail sports utility vehicle this month much after it announced its intentions at the Auto Expo 2004 this January. Delays in homologation might have postponed its launch, but Nissan’s best-seller is all set to make a big splash in the Indian marketplace, says Yogendra Pratap after enjoyable driving in the refreshing X-Trail around Pune’s scenic countryside.

Nissan is all set to make a soft entry into the Indian marketplace with its best-selling soft roader. The X-Trail will be imported as completely built units and sold through the three dealers that have been appointed for the north, south and west regions of the country. The dealers in turn are setting up service points in their respective regions to ensure good reach and the dealership network will no doubt be expanded in time.

Nissan is not new to Indians with the Nissan Patrol having served the nation for decades as it was built under the Jonga name for the armed forces at the Vehicles Factory, Jabalpur. The other Nissan Presence in India was through its tie-up with Allwyn for the manufacture of LCVs. Things weren’t very good for Nissan worldwide and the Indian venture too did not have a happy end primarily because of over-capacity in the segment and was sold to Mahindras during the ongoing privatization drive of the government.

This though is a fresh beginning in India of a resurgent global company which is wooing the world with its shift_(shifting the future of the automobile). The X-Trail is part of that shift with the latest in engine technology, refreshingly new and very utilitarian interiors, enhanced safety and with lots of electronic gadgetry. The following road test reveals just how much of a shift can the X-Trail cause in the market.