In a recent visit to the GCC, Andy Palmer, Nissan’s vice-president and head of the company’s light commercial vehicle business unit (LCV-BU), announced details of the LCV new strategy and the new LCV Middle East Business Unit. Palmer revealed that the LCV-BU has exceeded its Value-Up plan commitment one year ahead of plan.
The Japanese automaker was initially aiming for LCV sales of 434,000 units by end of fiscal year 2008 reflecting a 40 per cent increase from 2004. “After confirming our confidence towards achieving the target of 434,000 units as per the initial Nissan Value-Up plan ending in fiscal year 2008 one year ahead of plan, we raised this target to 470,000 units and proudly achieved it within the same time frame, that is by the end of March 2007”, said Palmer. He further explained that since the target is achieved, the LCV-BU is now focused on setting a new target to be achieved as an extra contribution to the goals of the Nissan Value-Up plan.
From a regional perspective Palmer confirmed that the Middle East is identified as a key growth region in Nissan’s global plan to win a greater share of the light commercial vehicle market. “LCV Middle East Business Unit is fully committed to the development of the LCV business in the region”, said Reza Alavi, head of LCV Middle East Business Unit at Nissan Middle East. LCV-MEBU supports all countries in the territorial coverage of Nissan Middle East like Saudi Arabia (LCV’s biggest market), UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the Maghreb countries, namely Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.
“With a strong support from the global LCV-BU in Japan and from Nissan Middle East, we adapt everything locally to suit individual market conditions and customer requirements” he added. The specialized business unit will have its implications on the dealers’ network in terms of benefits from new product enhancements and more specialized support in all the areas of business from product planning to marketing, sales and aftersales (both parts and service).
