Nissan Motor Company, a multinational auto manufacturer, has big plans for India.

The Japanese company aims to launch 4-5 models by the next four years
out of which the first car would roll out before summer 2010.

Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, Nissan Motor India's Managing Director and CEO,
said, “We propose to launch four to five models over the next four-five
years in the Indian market. Our first car is scheduled for launch by
summer 2010.”

Nissan is establishing Rs 4,500-crore car-manufacturing plant in
association with Renault at Oragadam near Chennai, and the new vehicles
will be manufactured at this new facility.

The 50:50 joint venture between Nissan and Renault will have an annual manufacturing capacity of four lakh cars.

At first, Nissan will produce two lakh cars, and later it will scale-up
its overall capacity to three lakh cars in about four years time.

However, Renault has postponed its launch from this facility.

Tokuyama said, “Our plans are on track and our first car will be the
Micra hatchback. The Micra is known as March in Japan and the Indian
version will be christened either Micra or March.”

After the Micra, Nissan will bring out a derivative of Micra, a sedan, by 2011.

The Micra would be available in both the petrol and diesel engines, he
said, adding that nearly two-third of its production would be exported.

Tokuyama said that India is the "strategic" market for Nissan, and would be its construction and export hub.

Tokuyama also clarified that Nissan has no plans to make a small car to
take on the Tata's Nano at this plant, but Nissan-Renault would be
joining hands to make a small car in India.