Paolo D'Ettore, Nissan Europe: “Europe is crucial for our LCV ambitions”
On 1 September, Nissan Europe launched a 5-year, 160,000-km warranty on all its Light Commercial Vehicles. That unique offer is just one element of the brand's plan to focus on Light Commercial Vehicles sales growth, explains Paolo D'Ettore, Nissan's brand-new Chief Marketing Manager for LCVs in Europe.
“Our Alliance with Renault aims to become the world-leading LCV manufacturer by 2016. As Nissan, we have consistently sold more than a million LCVs every year since 2011. They represent 20% of Nissan's global sales. Europe has a crucial role to play in our ambitions because of our strong industrial footprint here. Since 1980, our plants in Barcelona and Avila have produced over 3 million LCVs, for Europe and beyond”.
Where do you see growth opportunities?
“There is growth on a global scale. Also in Europe, after years of stagnation. Over the past 5 years, Nissan has focused on growing its passenger car sales. Our challenge now is to replicate that for LCVs”.
How?
“We have a number of strong points. Firstly, our product line-up. We are virtually the only manufacturer offering anything from small, car-derived vans over pickups to trucks, like the 3.5 and 4.5 ton NT400 Cabstar and the 7.5-ton NT500. The latest addition is the NP300 Navara, presented at IAA Frankfurt. It is the new benchmark for the pickup segment in Europe”.
There's also your extended 5 year/160.000 km manufacturer's warranty.
“That's the second element. Customer clinics around Europe learned that such a warranty was the preferred option of several offers we proposed. The warranty is a unique offer on the European market, delivering peace of mind to our customers”.
“Thirdly, we're upgrading dealer standards across Europe, aiming to provide attractive sales and after-sales services, once again based on customer feedback. That's what we're doing now, but there is more to come – watch this space!”
How has the organisation itself changed to support these growth ambitions?
“We've created a new Director for LCVs in Europe function. Ponz Pandikuthira will take the lead on all things LCV, from sales and marketing to the financial aspect”.
Does your sister brand Renault play a part in your LCV ambitions?
“The Alliance generates a lot of synergies, in manufacturing and in expertise. But from a commercial point of view, Renault and Nissan remain independent from each other. But we do believe that there is plenty of space on the market to allow us to jointly become the world's leading LCV manufacturer”.
What can we expect for electric powertrains?
“Fleet customers increasingly focus on the green angle. We have two strategies for this. First, improving the technology on conventional powertrains to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The Navarra is a good example: with an emission of 167 grams of CO2/km and fuel consumption of 6.3 l/km, it's best in class”.
“The second axis is our pioneering zero-emission EV technology, as used in the Leaf, at 200,000 units sold the world's best-selling electric vehicle. We've extended zero-emission technology to LCVs, offering the e-NV200”.
