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| Nissan Photo by Reuters |
New Dehli - Nissan Motor India announced plans to significantly expand its export operations, with 2,000 left-hand drive (LHD) Magnite SUVs scheduled for immediate shipment to international markets, marking India's growing role as a global manufacturing hub for the automaker.
The company aims to export over 10,000 LHD Magnite units worldwide by February 2025, including 5,100 vehicles destined for Latin American markets, with Mexico being a key destination. This initiative is part of Nissan's global "One Car, One World" strategy.
"India now stands alongside the UK as Nissan's largest export hub within the AMIEO region," said Guillaume Torres, Nissan's Region Divisional Vice President of Business Transformation (AMIEO). "This development reflects India's strategic importance not just as a market, but as a crucial element in our global growth strategy."
The export push comes as Nissan also strengthens its domestic presence in India. The company confirmed its plans to launch a new electric vehicle by FY26 remain on track, while simultaneously exploring hybrid and CNG powertrain options to diversify its product portfolio.
"We're actively studying various powertrain technologies to meet evolving market demands," Torres explained. "New model announcements are forthcoming as we expand our lineup."
The company has set ambitious targets for FY26, aiming to triple both domestic sales and exports to 100,000 units each. Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director of Nissan Motor India, emphasized the significance of the LHD Magnite exports: "This milestone reinforces India's position as a manufacturing powerhouse and demonstrates our commitment to both global markets and local stakeholders."
Addressing industry speculation about potential merger talks with Honda, Torres maintained that while discussions continue at the global level, they won't affect India operations. "India's importance in our global strategy remains unchanged," he stated. "As one of the world's fastest-growing automotive markets, we expect to increase our investments here."
Initial shipments will focus on markets across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Pacific regions, leveraging India's cost-efficient manufacturing capabilities to meet international demand.
The expansion of export operations aligns with India's growing prominence in global automotive manufacturing, as Nissan capitalizes on the country's skilled workforce and robust supply chain infrastructure to drive its international growth strategy.
