Vehicle manufacturers Bajaj Auto of India and Renault-Nissan are likely to take a final decision on jointly developing a low-cost car by the end of January 2008, reported The Economic Times.
Bajaj Auto and Nissan-Renault likely to finalize JV talks soon
January 2nd, 2008 — Bajaj, Renault, nissan
Nissan considering $3,000 super low-cost to global and USA
October 25th, 2007 — nissan
Bajaj Auto will lead the three-way exclusive global alliance with Renault-Nissan for the $3,000 small car project. Sources said the current agreement is that Bajaj will lead the project and Renault-Nissan will support it.
Bajaj will be involved not just in the development and manufacturing of the car but also in its marketing and distribution, using its existing network of two-wheeler dealers. However, the alliance with Bajaj will only focus on light vehicles, both passenger and cargo. Which means, Nissan may be looking for another Indian partner to market and distribute its high-end range of cars.
Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, who is all set to come to India next week to formally announce Nissan’s commercial vehicle partnership with Ashok Leyland, will be meeting the Bajaj brass on October 29 and will also be visiting its Chakan plant.
Nissan hopes to launch US$2,500 car in India in 2010
October 24th, 2007 — Auto show / Motor Show, nissan
CHIBA, Japan : Nissan and Renault hope to start selling a car for about US$2,500 in India in around 2010 along with their local partner there, chief executive Carlos Ghosn said on Wednesday.
“We have already practically decided all the attributes of the car,” Ghosn told reporters at the Tokyo Motor Show.
“We have the full intention to do it - if it’s feasible. Hopefully this is going to be 2010 in India,” he said.
Ghosn, who heads both Japan’s Nissan Motor Co. and its French partner Renault, said he would visit Indian partner Bajaj Auto next week for talks on the car.
He said that it appeared possible to make a US$2,500 car for India, but the big question was whether it could be exported to other markets such as Europe, China, Brazil, Mexico or even the United States.
Bajaj conside Renault Joint Venture in 2 months to make $3,000 cars
October 23rd, 2007 — Uncategorized
MUMBAI (Reuters) - A feasibility study by Bajaj Auto Ltd, India’s No. 2 motorcycle maker, and France’s Renault on making a small car in India should be ready within two months, a senior Bajaj official said on Friday.
Renault and Bajaj said in July they were in initial talks on making “very competitive” vehicles in India.
“Right now, it looks like the study will be done in six to eight weeks,” Executive Director Sanjiv Bajaj told Reuters by telephone.
“Depending on the outcome, we will then make a decision on how to proceed,” he said, without giving further details.
Renault, which also has a joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra to make the no-frills Logan sedan in India, has said it was looking at the viability of a $3,000 car to compete with a cheaper car that Tata Motors is making.
Renault, Nissan Motor and Mahindra also have an alliance to make 400,000 vehicles in a plant in southern India from the second half of 2009.
It has been reported that Bajaj, which also makes motorised three-wheelers and is developing its first four-wheel vehicle, a cargo carrier, would make the engine for the proposed small car.
Bajaj has been reported as saying the engine may be displayed at India’s Auto Expo in January, when the Tata car is also expected to be unveiled ahead of its launch later in the year.
Earlier on Friday, Bajaj posted a better-than-expected 6 percent rise in net profit to 3.36 billion rupees ($85 million) in the fiscal second quarter to Sept. 30.
Source : Reuters
