In the face of swirling speculation, Nissan Motor India has stepped forward with conviction, reaffirming its commitment to the Indian market. Addressing the media, Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director of Nissan Motor India, dispelled rumours of an exit, stating unequivocally that the company remains fully invested in India’s future—both strategically and emotionally.
Vatsa made it clear that Renault’s takeover of Nissan’s 51% stake in their joint plant, RNAIPL, is simply a business restructure—not a sign that Nissan is leaving India. “We are here, and we are here to stay,” he said, underlining Nissan’s long history in India, which dates back to 1965 with the licensing of the iconic Nissan Patrol P610 to the Ministry of Defence. Produced as the Jonga—Jabalpur Ordnance and Gun Carriage Assembly—the rugged vehicle became a trusted ally of the armed forces and, briefly, a civilian icon in the 1990s.
More than a heritage brand, Nissan is now scripting a future-forward chapter for India. With the pre-production of upcoming models already underway, the company’s commitment is visible not only in its product pipeline but also in its robust localisation efforts. “If we weren’t here for the long haul, we wouldn’t be investing in E20 compatibility, CNG kits, or talking about the future,” Vatsa noted.
The alliance with Renault remains intact, as does the technical backbone in the form of RNTBCI—Nissan’s dedicated tech centre in Chennai. As a further mark of stability and progress, the company is on the cusp of celebrating a new milestone - 200,000 cumulative sales of the Magnite, its popular compact SUV that continues to find favour both at home and in export markets.
Charts Bold Path For Growth
With speculation firmly put to rest, Nissan India is wasting no time steering its focus towards growth and momentum. Vatsa laid out a clear and confident roadmap, centred on three new products set to enter the market by early 2027.
Leading the charge is a 7-seater B-segment MPV scheduled for launch in the first quarter of calendar year 2026, followed by a pair of C-segment SUVs—a five-seater and a full-fledged seven-seater based on the Dacia Bigster—in early 2027. Built on the Renault-Nissan alliance’s CMF-A and CMF-B platforms, these models will combine affordability with rich features, targeting the high-growth MPV and SUV segments across both domestic and export markets.
Alongside new product introductions, Nissan is also bolstering its best-seller, the Magnite. The compact SUV now comes with a government-approved CNG retrofitment kit priced at an additional INR 74,999. Starting June 1, the CNG option is available in seven States including Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, and Karnataka, with a phased rollout to follow. The kits carry a warranty of three years or one lakh km. Notably, the Magnite is already E20 fuel-compliant and exported to more than 65 countries, including left-hand-drive markets.
To support this renewed product offensive, Nissan plans to double its production capacity from one lakh to two lakh units annually by FY27. The company has already begun utilising its committed $700 million investment for product development and manufacturing expansion. Last fiscal, 72,000 units were shipped overseas, and Vatsa expects the export share to rise to 50% of total volumes with the new models.
Recognising the importance of retail reach, Nissan also aims to expand its dealership network from 160 to 180 outlets by the end of calendar year 2025. He said more dealers are showing interest after the new product announcements, which signals Nissan’s strong and steady plans for the Indian market.
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