Nissan Details Vietnamese Plan

Nissan continues to seek unexplored markets and Vietnam is the first stop, the company announced today. Nissan Vietnam confirmed it will start local production and will launch the first model in 2010, but hasn't provided too many details on the matter. However, we do know the car will be assembled by Vietnam Motors Corporation and will be distributed by NVL Guidance. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., Japan will be in charge for quality control and assembly of Nissan automobiles.

"Vietnam is a strategic market for Nissan with tremendous opportunities," said Shinya Hannya, Nissan's corporate vice president of GOM Planning Dept., GOM Marketing and Sales (Asia, Oceania). "We are aiming for strengthening our market presence in Vietnam as well as in other fast emerging countries. The offering of locally assembled products will accelerate our business in Vietnam and lay the foundation for further growth."

NVL Guidance is a joint venture between Nissan Japan and Kjaer Group A/S, Denmark which started operations back in December 2008 and already commenced importing Nissan models and distributing them to local dealers.

"Launching the locally assembled products is proof of our commitment to building vehicles that meet our customers' needs. Our understanding of the Vietnamese culture and consumer leads us to believe that the Nissan brand will be a good fit here, establishing Nissan as an important and successful automotive player in Vietnam," Flemming Eltang, general director at NVL, said.

As you can see, Nissan didn't say a thing about the models to be produced in Vietnam but they will most likely be small cars equipped with fuel efficient engines and particularly aimed at protecting the environment. However, more details are expected in the upcoming months, so we'll keep you updated.