Datsun starts accepting bookings of GO

Datsun has started accepting pre-orders for its first offering in India, the GO hatchback. With the launch expected in March, you can now pre-order the hatchback for Rs 11,000. Prices are expected to start around Rs 3.5 lakh which puts it in the league of Hyundai Eon, Maruti WagonR, Hyundai i10 and Nissan Micra Active.

The GO is based on the Nissan Micra’s V platform and will be powered by a 1.2-litre VVT three-cylinder engine. It produces 74bhp and 104Nm of torque and transmits the power to the front wheels via a five-speed gearbox. 

Nissan, the parent company, had revived the Datsun brand to introduce budget cars in emerging markets. Besides India, Dastuns will also be sold in Russia, Indonesia and South Africa over the next two years.

Nissan India has assumed the full responsibility of the handling the manufacturing, sales and other operations of the Datsun brand in the country. The production of the GO had started earlier this month at Renault-Nissan’s Oragadam plant in Chennai, which will also cater to the car’s other international markets. The GO will be followed by the GO+, an MPV unveiled earlier this month at the 2014 Auto Expo.

Nissan’s decision of first introducing the product here is a sign of car manufacturers starting to acknowledge the growing importance of the Indian market in term of global products. 

Though Datsun shares the dealerships with Nissan, it will have its own dedicated management, staff and space within the showroom.