Amid ongoing discussions on the pace of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, automakers are assessing market readiness and consumer demand before expanding their electrification strategies in India, with a senior executive at Nissan Motor stating that "consumers should not be compelled to purchase EVs and that market conditions should determine their introduction".

The Japanese carmaker will evaluate the pace of EV adoption in India and assess customer requirements before deciding on the rollout of new technologies. Thierry Sabbagh, President for the Middle East, KSA, CIS and India at Nissan and its luxury vehicle division Infiniti, told a local daily that although the company continues to invest in new technologies globally, it has redefined its priorities.

"What we have decided is there is no one size fits all. So, when we look at the markets, (rate of) adoption of (EVs) and customer requirements, some markets are going quite aggressively on EVs, (for) others, we are looking at alternative solutions," he said. "In the markets where we want to be present and have a role to play, we want to make sure that we take that into consideration and we adapt accordingly."

In India, EV sales are increasing from a low base; however, petrol and diesel cars continue to dominate, accounting for approximately 96% of the domestic car market, which exceeds 4.4 million units per year. EVs currently account for 4% of the total industry.

"I want to make sure when we bring a technology to the market, it has what the customers wanted," Sabbagh said. "EV is 4% today of the total industry. What is more important for us and for consumers is to bring cars, like the Gravite, like the Tekton, like the seven seater C-SUV, that are fast growing segments."

Sabbagh stated that Nissan is examining alternative EV-related solutions for the Indian market, without providing further details.

He added that the company is reviewing its expansion plans in India. Sabbagh, who visited the country three times in the past month to review operations, said Nissan plans to launch three new vehicles over the next year.

Referring to the market, he said: "India is the third largest (passenger vehicle) market in the world, the growth we have seen (here) is quite significant, and it continues."

Nissan's focus on the Indian market comes at a time when the company has reduced its industrial footprint to 10 vehicle plants globally, from 17, under its transformation initiative, the "Re:Nissan" Recovery Plan, aimed at reducing costs, leveraging partnerships where feasible and directing investments towards mass-market products, including EV-related technologies.