Car makers have no choice but to cope with the likely move to hike excise duty on diesel cars, said a top official from Nissan.
The Indian Government has asked car makers to submit a report on the possible impact if diesel excise is hiked.
“We cannot fight with the Government. Governments are always looking for more revenues. But the penetration of diesel cars in India is high,” said Mr Andy Palmer, Executive Vice-President, Nissan Motor Company, on the sidelines of a CII conference on innovation and sustainable mobility.
At the summit, Mr Palmer showcased Nissan's electric vehicle, Leaf. Could it come to India soon? “It depends on the government putting the right infrastructure and subsidies in place as it is an expensive technology,” said Mr Palmer.
The Nissan-Renault alliance sold 1.28 lakh cars in India last year, of which 80 per cent was exported. "We are on target to beat that production figure this year," said Mr Palmer.