Datsun India sales appears to be heading in right direction though not at a pace the company would like. Launch of Go+ budget MPV in January really came to rescue as the average sales volume for first five months of this year stands at 1,870 units which is exactly twice as the average volume for the previous five months (936 units between August to December 2014). In April 2015, sales breached 2,000 units for the first time in a year.
When Datsun decided to select India as one of the three markets for its resurrection (other two being Indonesia and Russia), it knew what lies ahead. Penetrating an unforgiving market dominated by Maruti and Hyundai is never an easy task but Datsun has been counting on a strong word of mouth from its existing customers to make inroads.
Datsun’s high value-for-money quotient, strong performance credentials and better active safety than most of its rivals have slowly started getting attention by young first time car buyers who are increasingly becoming open to try something different, something other than a safer bet of buying a Maruti.
Come 2016, the Japanese budget brand will launch its most affordable model in India which is essentially a Renault -Kwid with a different top-hat. Previewed by Datsun redi-Go concept at last Auto Expo, the sub-Go small car will sport a micro SUV image and will have an estimated price tag of INR 3-4 lakhs (ex-showroom). This should steel a good chunk of audience base from econoboxes like Maruti Alto and Hyundai Eon.
Datsun needs to work on bringing distinct products with great VFM and keep its existing customers happy by going the extra mile in aftersales service. If these two crucial boxes are ticked, its only a matter of time before Indians return the love.
