Nissan is planning to launch its manufacturing plant at Chennai in India with a car modelled on the popular Hatchback Micra. The company expects to have 8 Models by 2012 in the country and use this plant for export purposes.

The company is setting up this plant with its partner Renault at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore and it will start production in early 2010.

It is understood that Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd., the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese firm, has already placed order for sourcing parts for two models. Nissan will initially launch a basic entry-level car, named W02A, and subsequently launch a higher-end-level car, W02B, after some months, three vendors familiar with the development said.

“By 2012, we plan to have eight products in the market, of which a few will be imported. We will also export cars manufactured here in completely built-up form as per current plans,” Neeraj Garg, director, marketing and sales, Nissan Motor India, said.