Nissan Micra starts at 3.98 lakh ex-showroom Delhi

Nissan has sent us the press release containing details of the Nissan Micra's prices. The Nissan Micra is based on the new Nissan V-Platform which will also see the birth of a new sedan and a MPV.

Read all the details in the attached press release

Press Release

Nissan India announces the launch of new Nissan ‘Micra’

· Nationwide sales will commence from July 15, 2010

· Available in 3 variants and six colours

· To be priced at INR 3,98,000 - XE (entry), INR 4,69,500 - XL (Mid) & INR 528,800 - XV (Top) - all ex-showroom Delhi.

· Car equipped with multiple ‘first-of-it’s-kind’ features in its segment like Intelligent Key plus Immobilizer, a push-button engine start-stop system and electric foldable mirror.

· Nissan also announces a host of Customer Care and Service Schemes

New Delhi, July 14, 2010: Nissan Motor India Private Ltd (NMIPL) today announced its product offensive in India with the commercial launch of its first ‘Made-in-India’ compact hatchback – the new Nissan ‘Micra’. The Nationwide sales for the all-new Nissan Micra, which is been built on Nissan’s versatile ‘V’ platform would commence from July 15, 2010. Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, M.D. & CEO, NMIPL, Mr. G M Singh, Vice Chairman & MD, Hover Automotive India and Mr. Abhijeet Pandit, V.P –Sales, Marketing & After Sales, Hover Automotive India (HAI) along with dealers, trade partners and other key officials attended the event.

Nissan Micra is a smart, global hatchback simplifying urban mobility. The Micra has a rich legacy of 28 years and has established its credential by winning many awards. The all new Nissan Micra has been fine-tuned to meet the different tastes and needs of customers in both developed markets and emerging markets like India. Designed and tested in Japan and manufactured locally in India, Nissan Micra is a global car that will also be sold in advanced markets such as Europe, Middle East, and Africa among other countries

This 4th Generation Nissan Micra model is born out of the need to simplify the city chaos and enrich the urban driving experience. It is a reliable, stylish, safe and eco-friendly car for people who enjoy everyday driving.

In India, Nissan Micra will be available in three standard variants of XE (Entry), XL (Mid) and XV (Top). Available in two interior colour schemes: black and griege (only XV), the Nissan Micra will be introduced in a range of six colours; Sunlight Orange, Brick Red, Pacific Blue, Storm White, Blade Silver and Onyx Black. The Nissan Micra is priced competitively in its segment providing a complete package of features, performance, drivability and comfort. The ex-showroom Delhi prices for Nissan Micra are INR 3,98,000 for XE (entry), INR 4,69,500 for XL (mid) and INR 528,800 for XV (top) variants respectively.

Additionally, in a competitive move, Nissan has adopted a uniform pricing policy across the country to offer a fair and equitable benefit to customers all over India. Thus, the ex-showroom prices will be uniform across pan India except for states/cities where differential VAT, entry tax, Octroi and other local taxes applicable would be levied extra.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, M.D. & CEO, Nissan Motor India said, “The moment that we all have been anxiously waiting for has finally arrived! We begin our product offensive in India with the launch of the Micra and the Indian customers can look forward to a long and fruitful association with our product and services. The Nissan Micra is the right product at the right time that will offer the customers a good means of urban mobility with a complete package of performance, features, safety and comfort. We expect Micra with its latent advantage and its unique features to do well in the Indian market and carve a niche of its own compared to other competitive models in this segment.”

Announcing the sales and marketing strategy for the new Micra, Mr. Abhijeet Pandit, Vice President –Sales, Marketing & After Sales, Hover Automotive India, said, “The launch of Nissan Micra marks the beginning of a serious foray at the mass market by Nissan in India. We are overwhelmed with the response the pre-order bookings have generated so far through our dealerships prior to the launch. We have received over 2000 bookings, which have well exceeded our expectations. This is a very encouraging sign and goes to show the customers faith in good quality products. The Nissan Micra will be launched nationwide with a comprehensive multi-media marketing campaign featuring our brand Ambassador Ranbir Kapoor. We will also be using some non-conventional forms of media to maximize the product visibility and increase sales.”

“To ensure good after sales service across the nation, we are planning to increase our dealer networks at a rapid pace. We will be having 20 dealers operational across India by July 2010, which will be more than 30 by the end of this fiscal year. We have also partnered with major banking institutions to provide easy financing and loans disbursement schemes through our dealerships for our retail customers“, adds Mr. Pandit.

PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES

Nissan Micra is a compact hatchback with an affable appearance and engineered for easy handling and sprightly performance, while realizing class-competitive fuel efficiency.

Innovations

Positioned in the B+ car segment, the new Micra is equipped with some key technological innovations, which are designed to simplify day-to-day life for its owners. The Nissan Micra offers first-in-its-class Intelligent Key plus Immobilizer, a push-button engine start-stop system and electric foldable mirror.

Another unique feature is the intelligent multi-display meter, which supplies drivers with real time fuel economy information, cruising range and outside temperature. In addition, the driver power windows are fitted with ‘one touch up/down’ feature along with a pinch guard.

Design

A unique design feature of this car is the double-layer integrated grille, which provides a stylish and sophisticated look to the car, yet maintaining a classical shape. There is also a stylized version of the distinctive arched side window line, something that is central to the Micra’s heritage, identity and appeal.

Compact Exteriors

Retaining its compact dimensions, the Nissan Micra measures 3780mm in length, 1665mm in width and 1530mm in height. The longer wheelbase (2450mm) enables a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance – the main reason behind the Micra’s roomier interiors. The boomerang-shaped grooves on the roof have a clearly defined purpose too. The efforts of Nissan’s Global Production Engineering Centre also make it the lightest (XE-905kgs, XL-915kgs & XV -930kgs) yet sturdy hatchback in its segment. This has been achieved in numerous ways by reducing number of components and using newer manufacturing and material processing techniques.

Roomy and Practical Interiors

Aiming to match the same sense of exterior style inside the car, Nissan has employed a ‘connected cocoon’ design featuring a dashboard design, which takes on a ‘twin bubble’ theme. This refers to the circular instrumentation panel and the similarly shaped glove box compartment on the passenger side. Special attention has been paid to use of materials on the instrumental panel by using Micro-grain technology. This reduces the plasticky feeling and improves productivity by ensuring quality and finish for visual and tactile appeal.

Performance

The all-new Nissan Micra is powered by an all-new HR12 DOHC 12-valves 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. Power is rated at 56Kw (76ps) @ 6000 rpm, while torque output is 104Nm @ 4000 rpm. The Nissan Micra comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The wide gear coverage enables the 1.2-litre engine to achieve economy and brisk acceleration.

Ride and Handling

Nissan engineers have taken meticulous effort to develop the ride and handling characteristics of the car that is a perfect mix of agility, refinement and poise. Mounted onto Nissan's new signature V-platform, the compact design of the suspension minimizes intrusion at the rear for maximum trunk space, but not at the expense of the car's on-road dynamics. The front MacPherson Strut and rear Torsion Beam provide excellent cushioning effect, reducing fatigue during long journeys. Particular attention has been paid to bump absorption, ensuring that the Micra will ride smoothly over challenging road surfaces, not suffer from wallow or float, and cruise effortlessly at highway speeds.

Comfort and Convenience

In contrast to its high-speed capability, the car also has superb visibility and a class-topping turning radius of 4.65m. It is equipped with several new technologies that assist with minimizing C02 emissions and mileage while at the same time making parking easier.

The Nissan Micra with a top speed of 160kmph provides a class competitive fuel efficiency of 18.06 km/litre (tested and approved by ARAI). The Nissan Micra is also equipped with a class competitive boot space of 251 litres that can easily carry those extra bags of shopping during travel.

Safety

In the area of safety technology, Nissan pursues innovation as part of its “Safety Shield” concept, an advanced, proactive approach to safety issues based on the idea that cars should help protect people. The incorporation of the ‘V-platform’ is one major factor contributing to the car's improved impact safety. The car is designed to absorb the forces of a frontal impact, owing to the sophisticated crumple zones, while maintaining cabin integrity due to its highly reinforced body shell. All variants including the entry level (XE) are equipped with driver airbag. The top variant (XV) has been fitted with standard safety equipment such as Driver + Front Passenger airbag, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

The Nissan Micra comes with a standard manufacturers’ warranty of 2 years/50,000kms (whichever is earlier). In order to understand customer needs and resolve their queries, Nissan has established ‘Nissan Care’ – A Customer Contact Centre. Customers can reach Nissan by dialing Toll-free No 1800-209-4080 or alternatively by writing an email to customercare.hai@email.nissan.in

CUSTOMER CARE AND SERVICE SCHEMES

As part of its after-sales commitment, in an effort to handhold the customers and provide them with round-the-clock assistance, Nissan is introducing a host of customer care and service schemes including Extended Warranty and Roadside Assistance for its products starting with the Micra. (Refer Annexure for details)

The Nissan Micra with its standard features of driver’s airbag, a trip computer, power steering, air-conditioning and body colored bumpers across all its variants is a complete package and good value for money for customers offering them an affordable means of mobility and comfort.