Nissan working on new compact SUV to take on Ford EcoSport

Japanese carmaker Nissan, is planning to enter the lucrative compact SUV segment in India. The company is believed to be developing a new product, which will rival the Ford EcoSport. The vehicle is likely to be debuted at the 2016 Auto Expo.

This new SUV will be based on the Kicks concept that Nissan showcased at Sao Paolo in Brazil last year. The Kicks measure more than 4 metres in length. However, in India, Nissan could shorten its length to make it a sub-4 metre vehicle. This will enable it to avail of tax benefits.

To power the SUV, Nissan is likely to use the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that is found in various products from the Renault-Nissan range of cars.

At present, the compact SUV segment is dominated by the Ford EcoSport and more and more manufacturers are joining in the fray. Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Hyundai are some of the players who have plans to launch products in the segment in the coming years.

Nissan has not had a very successful run in India. The introduction of the compact SUV could help it increase its market share.

Source: Autocar India