BANGKOK -- Nissan on Wednesday unveiled its fully redesigned Navara pickup here, with plans to roll it out in the Thai market in August.
Eventually Nissan plans to sell the truck, positioned as a strategic model for global expansion, in more than 180 markets worldwide, with the aim of achieving annual sales of 500,000 units, up 40% from previous versions.
The vehicle will be produced at a new plant opening next month near Bangkok. Nissan has spent 11 billion baht ($343 million) on the plant, which will make just the Navara. The facility will start with a production volume of 75,000 a year and will eventually boost the number to 150,000.
Australia and Southeast Asia will likely be among the main export destinations. The company is raising the profile of Thailand as an operational base for sales, production and export.
In a press conference Wednesday, Executive Vice President Andy Palmer noted the new Thai plant will be Nissan's largest production center for pickups, underscoring the strategic importance of Thailand.
The new Navara, having undergone its first full overhaul in nine years, will offer a more passenger-car-like cabin. The price will be announced next month.
Nissan has lagged behind rivals in cultivating the Southeast Asian market, and is aiming to raise its market share in the region by 160% from fiscal 2013 to 15% down the road.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Nissan-rolling-out-all-new-Navara-pickup-in-Thailand
