Next-generation Nissan Micra will not be manufactured in India
Nissan will be showcasing the next-generation Micra at the 2016 Paris Motor Show in September. The new-gen Micra will be based on the CMF-B platform that will also underpin the upcoming Renault Clio. The upcoming Micra is expected to share its design cues from the Sway concept at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and will be bigger in size and come loaded with premium features. The new-generation Micra will be produced at the Flins Renault factory near Paris, France.
The new-generation Nissan Micra will adopt a completely new design language. The test mules that have been spotted show an aggressive front with lines similar to the Nissan Juke SUV. In terms of dimensions, the new-generation Nissan Micra will be longer and wider than its present form. The change in dimensions will also translate to a larger cabin with increased headroom and legroom. Nissan will also update its list of features with a touchscreen navigation system and more premium feeling cabin.
A source has now confirmed that the new-generation Micra will not be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan alliance plant in Oragadam near Chennai. Owing to the higher manufacturing cost, Nissan will not get the new-gen Micra based on the CMF-B in India. Instead it will probably be rolling out a facelifted Micra based on the V-platform with a revised design and updated interior. The Nissan Micra has not been the runaway success for the Japanese automobile brand, as they hoped. In June 2016, Nissan India sold a total of 554 units while its rivals the Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Hyundai Grand i10 clocked 9,033 units and 12,678 units respectively.
However, the Nissan Micra was the most exported car from India in June 2016. Since Nissan began its operations in India in 2010, it has exported a total of 6.2 lakh units. However, the Micra dominated the exports with a sale of 4.58 lakh units. The United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Italy are the biggest customers of the car, states Nissan. In fact, this year, exports accounted for 90,000 to 100,000 units of the company's overall sales in India.