New Delhi:Consumers should not be compelled to shift to electric vehicles (EVs); instead, the pace of adoption should be guided by market demand and customer preferences, a senior executive at Nissan Motor Corp. has said.rnrnThierry Sabbagh, President for the Middle East, KSA, CIS, and India operations at Nissan and its luxury division Infiniti, stated that the company will carefully evaluate the speed of EV adoption in India before introducing new electric technologies in the country.rnrnSpeaking about Nissan’s global strategy, Sabbagh emphasized that the automaker is continuing to invest in advanced and sustainable technologies worldwide. However, the company has recalibrated its priorities to ensure that its product strategies are aligned with the realities of individual markets.rnrn“There is no one-size-fits-all approach,” he explained. “When we assess markets, we look at the rate of EV adoption and customer requirements. Some markets are moving aggressively toward electric mobility, while in others we are evaluating alternative solutions. In the markets where we want to play a significant role, we will adapt accordingly.”rnrnEV Adoption in India Still at Early StagernrnIn India, electric vehicle sales are growing rapidly but from a relatively small base. Currently, EVs account for around 4% of total passenger vehicle sales. Petrol and diesel vehicles continue to dominate the market, commanding nearly 96% of the annual domestic car sales volume, which exceeds 4.4 million units.rnrnSabbagh underscored that customer demand remains the key factor in Nissan’s product decisions. “When we introduce a new technology, we want to ensure it reflects what customers truly want,” he said.rnrnInstead of rushing into EV launches, Nissan is focusing on high-growth segments within the Indian automotive market. The company is preparing to introduce new models such as the Gravite, the Tekton, and a seven-seater C-SUV, targeting segments that are currently witnessing strong demand and expansion.rnrnExploring Eco-Friendly AlternativesrnrnWhile Nissan is closely monitoring the EV transition, Sabbagh indicated that the company is also exploring other environmentally friendly mobility solutions for India. He did not elaborate on specific technologies but suggested that Nissan may consider hybrid or other alternative powertrains depending on market needs.rnrnExpansion Plans in IndiarnrnNissan is accelerating its expansion strategy in India to capitalize on the country’s robust economic growth. Sabbagh, who visited India three times in the past month to review operations, highlighted the company’s renewed focus on strengthening its presence in the market.rnrnOver the next year, Nissan plans to launch three new vehicles in India as part of its growth strategy.rnrn“India is now the third-largest passenger vehicle market globally,” Sabbagh noted. “The growth we have witnessed here is significant and continues to show strong momentum. The country’s stability, innovation, and diversity provide a great opportunity for expansion.”rnrnGlobal Restructuring Under Re:Nissan PlanrnrnNissan’s sharpened focus on India comes amid a broader global transformation initiative. As part of its "Re:Nissan Recovery Plan", the company has streamlined its industrial footprint, reducing the number of vehicle plants worldwide from 17 to 10. The restructuring aims to cut costs, strengthen strategic partnerships, and channel investments into mass-market products with higher growth potential.rnrnBy aligning its product strategy with regional market realities, Nissan aims to maintain flexibility while positioning itself for sustainable long-term growth in India and other key markets.
