Why buying a Nissan is about to get very, very easy

(AFP PHOTO/Philippe Lopez)

Nissan has announced an ambitious global plan which will see the launch of, on average, a new vehicle every six weeks.

The Japanese automaker, which makes vehicles including the Qashqai SUV, the Murano and the all-electric Leaf, says in its new Power 88 plan that by 2016 the company will sell 66 different vehicles around the world, following a demanding debut schedule which will see a new product launched every six weeks for the next six years.

Thirteen of the brand's current 64 models will be retired, according to the plans, while 15 new ones will take their place, with 14 new products launching in the US and Europe during 2013 and 2014.

Many of the new sales envisioned by the plan will come from emerging countries, Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said, with Nissan aiming to hold a ten percent share of the massive Chinese market by 2016.

Infiniti, the company's premium brand, is also aiming for a ten percent share of the global luxury brand market, while Nissan and its partner Renault are aiming to have 1.5 million electric vehicles on the road.

Following its selection as the official taxi provider of New York City, a choice expected to provide a considerable boost to its NV200 model, the company says that it is also aiming to become the world's leading light commercial vehicle manufacturer.

Customers will have more places than ever to buy the models, says Nissan, with the dealership network planned to grow by 1,500 outlets to 7,500 points of sale globally by the end of the plan.

It's an ambitious target, described by chief Carlos Ghosn as the first time Nissan has gone on the offensive, instead of "reconstructing or defending something," although Nissan isn't the only Japanese brand to announce big plans this week.

On June 27, Honda unveiled emission reduction targets of 30 percent by 2020, compared to levels in 2000, along with a new global environmental slogan, "Blue Skies for Our Children."