Japanese auto major Nissan brings small car Datsun brand in India by 2014 to sell low-cost, durable and practical cars in emerging markets. The company plans to launch cheap automobiles tailored for emerging markets under its old Datsun brand to tap into fast-growth countries.

The first product will be a A-Star/Alto-competitor and the other car is expected to be a Santro/Wagon-R-like tall-boy hatch. Both these products will be priced under Rs 4 lakhs, placed below the Nissan car portfolio. The vehicles will initially be built and sold in India, Indonesia and Russia. Each market will get their own unique Datsun products.

Nissan is developing a platform at Chennai unit for Datsun brand and will be investing in developing new products and ramping up plant capacity. The company has already commenced second line of operation and increased its production capacity from 3 lakh vehicles to 4 lakh vehicles this month. Nissan Motor India reported its highest-ever monthly sales in India at 5,371 units in February compared to 2,081 units a year ago.

The Datsun brand will target used cars buyers and two-wheeler owners looking for budget cars and the Datsun brand promises to attract them with lightweight, durable, practical and affordable cars.

Nissan has been increasing looking at emerging markets for growth. It has entered into a partnership with Ashok Leyland Ltd in India and has announced a new facility in Brazil, where it is aiming to increase its market share by three times in the coming five years.