autoevolution
 

Nissan Targets Double Middle East Market Share

Excited by the release of the new Nissan patrol last weekend, Japanese carmaker Nissan announced plans (and hopes) to double the volume currently registered in the Middle East, but by taking a somewhat unexpected approach for the region: built smaller, cheaper cars.

"I think we are far, far from our potential,"
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told AFP while at the launch of the new Patrol. "I'm looking for doubling the market share in the Middle East. "One of the reasons we're not maximising market share is we don't have enough small cars, and cheaper cars."

As you might have guessed, Nissan's CEO talks about the possibility of bringing the soon to be launched Global Compact Car, or at least a car based on its V platform, to the region.

As for the Patrol, the new and bettered off-roader and it's around 50,000 price tag won't allow it to sell more than 20,000 units a year in the Middle east, according to program manager Carla Bailo. Still, this is a huge improvement from the current generation, which barely manages to sell some 5,000 to 8,000 units.

The new off-roader is supposed to take down Toyota’s Land Cruiser and, at least at first glance, is built to fulfill its goal.

"The new Patrol is built with the high level of safety, performance and quality that characterises the Nissan brand, and we paid special attention to the needs of GCC drivers and passengers," Ghosn said.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Daniel Patrascu
Daniel Patrascu profile photo

Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories