Nissan will assemble a trifling (by Yank standards) 100,000 Titans annually at its $1.43 billion facility in Mississippi. With Americans looking at pick up trucks as more of a fashion statement than as goods transport, Nissan has splurged a whopping $500 million on the engine plant alone. With thousands of employees being trained to rule out even the smallest of flaws in these humongous trucks. Many of the Nissan dealerships are being upgraded to handle these monstrosities by retrofitting them with larger lifts, tyre changers and alignment racks.
Well, the Yanks don’t only upsize their burgers, they upsize their colas, cars and believe it or not, gates too. Nissan had to upsize the entrance at its California HQ, just to drive a Titan in.
Is the Titan viable for Indian roads? I definitely think so. It will negotiate all those big potholes (and pesky small cars too) with much ease. You don’t have to reach too deep into your pocket – about Rs 32 lakh, inclusive of import duties, should net you this monster. The Titan – a mythical earth giant or not, it is definitely a massive effort by Nissan. It’s making those star-spangled truck owners question their loyalties to the likes of the Blue Oval, the Bow Tie and the Ram’s Head. Will it really make an impact? We’ll find out soon.
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