New Micra's Geneva debut

The new Nissan Micra will be first shown at the Geneva motor show in March and will spawn two more variants according to company insiders.

The first versions of the new supermini are likely to hit the road in May in India, where the car is being built at all-new factory based in Chenai.

New Nissan Micra spy pictures

A year later a saloon version is set to be launched, although it’s unlikely to make it to the UK. In addition, a mini-MPV sharing many of the same mechanicals and built on the new V (versatile) platform will appear in 2012.

More controversially company insiders have indicated to Autocar that the next generation Renault Clio, also set to be based on the V-platform, could end up being built in India too.

This is a move that’s set to upset fiercely patriotic French buyers. Other Renaults set for Indian production include the Koleos soft-roader, currently built at the company’s Samsung factory in South Korea and a version of the forthcoming Fluence saloon. However, both of these are likely to be destined for Asian markets only.

Renault-Nissan has also committed to a joint venture on a smaller, cheaper car for developing markets with Indian car-maker Bajaj. The new ultra low cost car is set to be priced around £2000 and will be revealed later this year.