Nissan’s contract for the sourcing of Maruti Suzuki’s Pixo will expire in 2013. Right now, Nissan Motor Company has confirmed that the sourcing of the vehicle to overseas markets will continue till the expiry date. Why do you think all this has suddenly come up? Well, it’s just the after effects of the gossip that a reconsideration of the Maruti Suzuki-Nissan deal may happen after Volkswagen decided to buy a stake in Suzuki Motor Corporation in December 2009. The objective behind Volkswagen’s stake purchase was to source industrial efforts and gain knowledge on how Nissan rolls out the small and fuel-efficient car plans for high-growth markets like China and India.
Did you know that Nissan has already placed orders for 35,000 Pixo units for 2010-11? Wondering what it plans to do with so many units? Well, all these cars will be heading to Europe. Three years of the contract is still at Nissan’s disposal and it buys 35,000 units a year from Maruti Suzuki. However, the number will not stay there. If the demand increases the Pixo units too would increase. It seems like the number has already been revised to 54,000 units.
Will the Maruti Suzuki-Nissan deal not be affected at all? Will it manage to stay out of trouble? Maruti Suzuki does not have a replacement for Pixo and this economic car competes in the competitive European car market with the Lupo from Volkswagen. The Lupo is another compact car. So, will the deal still survive for another three years remains a big question.
The accessible city car, Pixo is low on carbon emission and is fuel efficient too. The price of the green car being very competitive, it stands a very good chance of surviving in the European car industry. The theme of compact motoring in the town and city with exceptional friendliness towards nature just reveals itself in the Pixo. The five-door car can easily accommodate four adults. The interiors have enough space for you and your luggage. All thanks for the luxurious inner space goes to the car’s design and packaging.
Going to the construction of the Pixo, it is very light and this shows up in the performance as well. The low fuel consumption and low carbon emission levels are among the best in the small city car category for Nissan in Europe. The depletion of the ozone layer is becoming a major concern all round the world. Germany and UK too are trying their best to bring down the pollution levels. The governments in Germany and UK are offering special incentives. You can take your old generation emission vehicle and bring back a new generation one. Great exchange right? Wish we have similar incentives in India.
In UK and Germany, the A-Star, which is sold as Alto by Maruti has received a good response and orders are showing a steep increase. A similar response is being hoped for Pixo. Will it be the same? Well, we need to wait a little. The 3,565 mm-long, 1,470 mm-tall and 1,600 mm-wide car has a wheelbase of 2360 mm. It is competing in the fast growing A-segment. However, though small, the Pixo is far from a micro car. Five doors stand proof to this and we already know that this compact car with enough roominess can be considered ideal for city driving.
Labels: city car, European car market, Fuel-Economy cars, green cars, Maruti Suzuki Pixo, Maruti Suzuki-Nissan deal, Nissan Pixo, Pixo, Small Car, Volkswagen Lupo
