Datsun Go testing commences

Expected to be priced under Rs. 4 lakh, the Datsun Go will go on sale in India early 2014. Datsun would not set up an independent retail network but will bank on parent Nissan's infrastructure to sell and service its cars with a distinct branding bay within the retail set-up. Returning after 32 years, Datsun wants to once again roll its wheels on Indian shores and is all set to make a comeback and capture the market. 

This Japanese four-wheeler manufacturer plans to bring five models to India with two slated for 2014 and three later. With these plans, Nissan hopes to notch a market share of 10 per cent in India by 2016-17 and a global share of 8 per cent in the auto industry. Further confirming its plans to get a hold of the market, Datsun also unveiled the Go+ MPV in Indonesia, which will also hit our shores in near future; giving competition to cars like Toyota Innova, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Ford EcoSport. 

Coming back to the hatchback, the Go is well-styled with a host of finely sculpted lines from front to rear, has a very long wheelbase with all four wheels at the absolute corners, has excellent interior space with good legroom, is powered by a 1.2 litre petrol engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox and is expect to shake up the small car market. In close competition will be cars like the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Hyundai New EON and Chevrolet Spark.