Datsun Unveils the GO, Its Car for Emerging Markets

DatsunDatsunJapan, 1931 > 198636 models
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has publicly revealed the full details on its first car as a reborn brand. The Datsun GO will be launched first in India before going on sale in other emerging markets, including Indonesia, Russia and South Africa.

The GO is a five-door, front-wheel drive hatchback powered by a 1.2-liter engine and five-speed manual transmission. It is 3.795m long with a 2.45m wheelbase, 1.635m wide and 1.485m high. It will offer docking with smartphones standard to play music and take calls. Prices will start at 400,000 rupees ($6,678.56 or €5,128.73 at current exchange rates).

Datsun will release more details about the GO's options and more detailed specs closer to launch.

The GO was styled and engineered in Japan and then sent to India to be adapted to the local market. The GO will be built at the RenaultRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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-NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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factory in Chennai, India.

The name comes from the first Datsun car from 1914, the Dat-GO, and the new GO follows basic the same design philosophy of being a car aimed at new buyers in a rapidly expanding market.

“Customers need to have access, feel a sense of belonging towards the Brand. Also, as this purchase will represent a significant part of their disposal income, it is important for them to have full trust in the brand and the product,” said Vincent Cobee, head of Datsun.

Future cars will share the platform with the GO but will be developed for individual markets and be built as near to that market as possible. The other local versions of the GO will launch later in 2014.

Datsun will join Nissan and InfinitiInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
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as Nissan Motor Company’s brands. It first announced the return of the brand in March 2012.