Datsun is an automobile brand owned by Nissan since 1931. Between 1958 to 1986, vehicles exported by Nissan were identified as Datsun in international markets. However by 1986 Nissan had completely phased out the Datsun brand name. In June 2013, Nissan resurrected the Datsun brand for low-cost vehicles specifically made for the emerging markets.
Related: Datsun Go will be Cheaper than WagonR and V2?
According to Nissan, Datsun’s reputation for value and reliability would help it gain market share in emerging markets including Indonesia, South Africa, India, and Russia. Now Datsun is going to reach Pakistan under Ghandhara Nissan Limited (GNL) umbrella, as in March 2018, Nissan officially announced its entry in Pakistan. The manufacturing and licensing agreement between Nissan and Ghandhara, will see the local production of Datsun models in our country.
Currently, Datsun’s international portfolio consist of the following vehicles:
- Go (launched 2013)
- Go+ (launched 2013)
- on-Do (launched 2014)
- mi-Do (launched 2015)
- redi-Go (launched 2016)
- Cross (launched 2018)
However the company believes the brand hasn’t been able to get the desired attention from the public and not been able to live up to the expectations. Although Datsun cars are cheap, affordable and to-the-purpose, it’s the sort of love-it-or-hate-it design that has kept bulk of the buyers away.
Related: Datsun to Launch an SUV for Emerging Markets
Now, Datsun brand is about to get a complete revamp in terms of design language to make it more appealing & significant. According to Alfonso Albaisa, Executive Design Director, Nissan:
“There is a natural evolution happening in Datsun that is not visible yet but is really linked to a new platform. And with the new platform, we have created a whole new design language for Datsun which we will start teasing probably within a year or so. It was a great opportunity to really look at the brand, really look at where we are and really look at the story of Datsun. And the group is considering how we can talk about the great history that Datsun has and what kind of cars we should be designing that represent its history.”
Elaborating further on what direction the Datsun would take, Albaisa explained the current design language would be replaced by a more robust one which would also have more ‘dynamic purity’. The new platforms off course will also help the cars to become more spacious, lighter and more importantly, safer than before.
Meanwhile the company has decided to soup-up its existing lineup to keep it competitive until the new generation models come to the rescue. Datsun had put on a dazzling show at the recently held Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2018, displaying its completely refreshed lineup of cars.
Related: 2018 Datsun GO and Datsun GO+ Facelift Launched in Indonesia
The highlight of the show was the Datsun GO-live special version, which is based on top-spec Datsun GO and adds a host of attractive new features and design modifications to give it a distinct new personality.
The Datsun Go Live wears an aggressive aerodynamic body kit, that include redesigned front & rear bumpers with LED DRLs, side moldings, spoilers under the front bumper, roof spoiler with integrated stop lamp on the back and rear bumpers with diffusers. All these parts are painted in bright yellow contrast to the body color which is offered in four options – black, white, gray and silver. The interior also gets the same color treatment, where yellow is used for seat belts, seams, seats as well as the meter panel.
Alongside Go Live, Datsun also showcased the new Datsun GO facelift and GO+ as well as the brand’s flagship model, the Datsun CROSS. Corporate Vice President,& the global head of Datsun, Jose Roman introduced the new Datsun GO Live during a press conference at the GIIAS 2018. Speaking at the event, Jose said:
We’re committed to developing personal transportation solutions to offer greater freedom and more choices to as many customers as possible. This idea is at the root of every car we design and every customer we serve, and the Datsun GO-live is the latest expression of this vision.”
Datsun in Pakistan
Although Ghandhara hasn’t officially announced which products it will be launching in Pakistan, but its widely believed to be the Go hatchback and GO+ 7-seat MPV, as both these cars have been spotted a number of times on or roads already. According to Ghandhara, the company is not going to bring vehicles as CBU due to heavy taxes, rather the Datsun vehicles will be assembled at their facility locally. Whereas sales of the first locally built Datsun vehicles are expected to begin in Pakistan within the 2019 fiscal year.
Related: Datsun GO, GO+ and Their Chances of Success in Pakistan
So far the Go and GO+ units that have been testing on our roads are pre-facelift models. Now when Datsun has indicated that the next generation models with new design language & new platforms will be teased within a year, it will be interesting to see when actually Ghandhara is going to introduce Datsun vehicles in Pakistan and whether they will be the facelift ones or not.
Related: Datsun GO and GO+ Facelift Launched in India
We badly need some variety in the mass-produced sedan and hatchback segment, and the Datsun Go and GO+ will sure be a welcome addition. However we are afraid, as always Pakistan might be a generation behind compared to international models, when it comes to the availability of Datsun cars in our country.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
