2014 Indian Auto Expo: Datsun Go production commences

A day before the 2014 Indian Auto Expo kicks off in Delhi, Datsun India has finally commenced production of its much-awaited new hatchback, the Go at its plant at Oragadam in Chennai. The Datsun Go is the first Datsun to be produced since 1986. India also gets the distinction of being the first and only country in the world to produce a new generation Datsun product. 

The Datsun Go will be made on the same assembly line as the Nissan Micra and the Renault Pulse as it shares quite a substantial amount of mechanical components with the two. The Datsun Go will officially be sold from showrooms from as early as March 2014 with prices most likely to be announced at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo.

Speaking on the occasion, Vincent Cobee, Global Head of Datsun said, “From day one, we knew that the key to success of the Datsun brand was that the cars must be developed, engineered and manufactured locally. By working this way, we have a unique insight into the consumer’s needs which enables us to build a car that meets and even exceeds expectations.”

The RNAIPL or Renault Nissan Alliance Plant in Oragadam in Chennai is the first factory to produce new generation Datsun products and will be followed by local production in plants in Russia and Indonesia. With Datsun today promising to launch an all-new car by the end of the year, possibly the Go+ MPV, and another car in the next three years, Datsun will have to employ large scale localisation to keep costs down.