We Called It: Next Datsun Is An MPV

by Derek Kreindler

Published: September 17th, 2013

Datsun’s newest vehicle, unveiled in Jakarta today, is a stretched version of the Go, dubbed the Go+. While this will elict a shrug of the shoulders for most of you, it’s an astute move by Datsun.

Indonesia’s auto market is dominated by small minivans. Toyota has an iron grip on the market with the Avanza, a rear-drive, rather basic vehicle. GM is trying to unseat Toyota with the Spin, a front-drive minivan with more modern bones. The Go+, which can seat 7 (perhaps in some degree of discomfort), is Nissan’s attempt to capture a slice of what many think is the next big car market.

With this knowledge in mind, TTAC predicted that the next Datsun would likely be an MPV, and it turned out we were correct. That and 37, 504 Indonesian rupiah will get you a Big Mac combo in Jakarta.

#Datsun #DatsunGo #EmergingMarkets #Indonesia #Minivan #Mpv #Nissan #Sales

Derek Kreindler

More by Derek Kreindler

Comments

Join the conversation

3 of 13 comments

Dan R on Sep 17, 2013

When we going to lose these F1 front brake styling cues? So juvenile!

Like Reply
- Old Man Pants on Sep 17, 2013
  
  OMG... how did I not see that?! Dead to me now. 'Cause that's the first thing everyone would notice if I rolled up in one. Even before saying "Well, at least it's the right color for a sh*tbox!"
  
  Like
Big Al from Oz on Sep 18, 2013

When you have only 36 vehicles per 1 000 population and a country wanting to advance you will sell these kinds of vehicles. They have to be cheap, provide good utility first, then looks come second. But a better looking vehicle would probably be a better selling point. The Indonesian vehicle market has massive potential. Indonesia is a country with over 220 million people. Like I mentioned only 36 vehicles per 1 000 people is tiny when compared to its neighbour, Australia with about 740 vehicles per thousand people. How much more can our market expand? When and if the Indonesian vehicle market gets on it's feet we will benefit the most. They will need minerals and more food as they gain a larger middle class. I hope the Indonesians get there.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

1995 SC They cost more while not doing anything ICE can't already do
Michael S6 PHEV are a transitional vehicles category until more efficient batteries are available and access to charging stations significantly improves. Currently I will buy an EV if I'm only driving in town and a PHEV if I need a road car as well.
Frank Bring back the gas Abarth with 250hp, that'll get peoples attention
EBFlex PHEVs are the ONLY reasonable solution to lowering the amount of oil we use for fuel. Because they are not being aggressively invested in and because the government is pushing EV, which are far worse than any other vehicles on the road, it’s clear the push to EVs has nothing to do with the environment.
Tassos On the 140, Sacco was 100% correct to not be fully satisfied with it, and that if it was shorter (he said by 10 cm, this is probably too much) it would sure look much sleeker and more elegant. This especially affected the coupe version, the successor to the perfect 560 SEC. But as it is, it looks more imposing and more arrogant and the interior room is indeed cavernous, which one can appreciate if he is 6 9" or above, OR if one is a typical morbidly obese, auto illiterate American of 2024.