Coming soon next generation Nissan X-trail

Just spotted a dozen odd next generation x-trail's from Nissan indicating a possible launch soon in the Indian markets.The battle in this premium softroader segment is just heating up with Honda Crv[diesel coming soon],Chevrolet Captiva,Mitsubishi Outlander[expected soon] and the Hyundai Santa Fe[also expected soon],Maruti grand vitara[Maruti desperately needs a diesel grand vitara if it does not want the vitara to only remain in the showrooms] .


The new xtrail is slightly longer than the older version and is based on the renault/nissan C platform.

Nissan would do well to launch a sensibly priced car since right now its more of a Hotel Leela car in India and if the present pricing structure continues given the fact that the nissan network in India is almost non-existant it would be hard to imagine a customer walking into a nissan showroom given the number of choices.

It would be real interesting to see who emerges the winner since all except Maruti would be offering a diesel and are almost equally matched in specs and luxury.If you ask me,I feel the Honda badge may just have that extra edge especially after the addition of the diesel in its line-up

If anything one gets a feeling toyota seems to have missed out in this segment and they have more than a few vehicles which could batlle it out in this segment.

Mitsubishi to sell the EVO X in India

Here's some good news and bad news for car lovers.First the Good news the EVO X is coming to our markets.Mitsubishi has plans to sell the vehicle here by early 2009.Now for the bad news,its going to be imported by Mitsubishi as a completely built unit[CBU] which means after all the taxes and stuff the price could be around Rs.24-26 lakhs.

Now at that price its competing with cars like the Audi A4,and the BMW 3 series so finding a buyer may pretty well be impossible in a market like India.Mitsubishi say they will target customers with its superior engine and driving experience but at this price Mitsubishi are really fighting a losing battle.Its funny they want to localise the outlander[thus bringing down costs] but when it comes to cars they don't seem interested at all and I am not talking about this particular car itself.

[Source:Business Standard]

[image source:Wikipedia]

Mitsubishi motors not to Divorce Hindustan Motors

Many[including me] had reported earlier that Mitsubishi was going to break its alliance with Hindustan motors in India.However Mitsubishi motors have come out and said they have no plans to going solo in the Indian market and the present alliance with Hindustan Motors shall remain .

Mitsubishi has so far not been so active in the Indian market but they have aggressive plans and aggressive sales targets for the future.In the next two years it plans to sell 10,000 units a year.They are infact optimistic about the Indian market and plan to assemble the Outlander SUV in to keep costs down.They are also looking at upping the number of dealers and service network in India.

As far as the question whether selling an Ambassador and a Mitsubishi Lancer at the same outlet would affect the sales of the lancer I don't subscribe to that theory.Actually I think the JV should even convince the Government officials in India to switch over to Mitsubishi cars.

Mitsubishi marketing was almost non-existent and it was the problems with their parent company which was the root cause of the problem in India.

Initially the Lancer did do quite well in India.But age has taken its toil.Mitsubishi needs to use Mahindra Singh Dhoni's mantra and bring in their latest products and get rid of its old line-up now.Maybe even use Dhoni as its brand ambassador then.

Also read:
Mitsubishi to launch Outlander in India shortly