Nissan to launch small car platform in China

Versa

Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third-largest automaker, plans to launch a new small car platform "V" for “versatility“ in Thailand, India and China in March 2010. The cars made in China will be sold in the country.

Nissan engineers said that the key to making profits are keeping the car's weight down; sourcing 80 percent to 90 percent of the parts locally; massive global sales and cheap, globally integrated manufacturing.

Furthermore, simplifying also contributes to profits, as cars made on the new “V” platform will have 18 percent fewer parts than Nissan's current compacts.

By 2013, Nissan expects sell 1 million cars a year made on the "V" platform.

Nissan is spending 5 billion yuan ($733 million) to increase its capacity in China from 460,000 to 700,000 units a year.

Agencies and Shi Jierui contributed to this story

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