Nissan to Tailor India EV Plans Based on Market Trends: Thierry

Nissan Motor Corp. is proceeding cautiously with regard to entering the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market, as it insists that consumers would not be coerced into joining the EVs. Rather, the firm seeks to make its strategies match the market dynamics and customer demands prior to introducing new technologies.

Thierry Sabbagh, President of Nissan’s Middle East, KSA, CIS, and India division, shared that while the company continues to invest in new technologies globally, it is redefining its priorities based on regional market conditions. "What we have decided is there is no one-size-fits-all," Sabbagh said.

He emphasized that the company is closely monitoring the adoption rates of EVs in various markets and adapting its strategies accordingly. "In the markets where we want to be present and have a role to play, we want to make sure that we take that into consideration and we adapt accordingly," he added.

In India, EV sales are increasing fast due to its low base, but petrol and diesel cars are still on top, having a 96 percent market share in the domestic car market, which sells more than 4.4 million units per year.

According to Sabbag, Nissan is concentrating on the introduction of cars such as the Gravite, Tekton, and a seven-seater C-SUV, among others, as they belong to the rapidly expanding market segments, as opposed to early adoptions of EVs.

Nissan has also been looking at environmentally friendly options in the Indian market, but it has not yet been disclosed. Nissan has a strategic emphasis to speed up its growth in India and to this end, it intends to introduce three new vehicles in the coming year. He added, "India is the third largest (passenger vehicle) market in the world, the growth we have seen (here) is quite significant, and it continues."