|
|
Nissan set to join M&M-Renault
party
BY OUR AUTO CORRESPONDENT
January 23, 2006: Look who is
driving ahead for an Indian alliance.
With the Renault-Mahindra partnership
all set to build a new 5 lakh unit per
year car plant in the country, latest
reports say that Nissan Motor too is
keen on joining the alliance.
With the carmaker deciding not to set
up its own manufacturing base in
India, the reports are seen with added
credibility. It may be recalled that
Nissan had earlier mulled over a $500
million 2-lakh unit plant in the
country to manufacture small cars.
Last year, Renault and Mahindra &
Mahindra (M&M) had announced a new
venture to set up a new auto plant to
manufacture up to 5-lakh units. The
plant would reach full capacity in
five years and is expected to cost
around $1 billion. This joint venture
plant may soon see Nissan too joining
in.
According to industry reports, the
proposed plant would manufacture both
Mahindra and Renault vehicles.
Further, the two companies are also
planning engine and transmission
plants in India. The partner companies
is expected to launch the low-priced
Logan sedan through a separate 51:49
joint venture, added reports.
The M&M-Renault JV plant is expected
to be the largest among new plants
under consideration. Maruti has almost
completed its new plant while Hyundai
has announced a second plant in
Chennai. General Motors has started
work on a small car plant in
Maharashtra while the Ranjangaon
facility of Fiat-Tata Motors JV would
reach full capacity in a couple of
years. Meanwhile, Toyota is also
planning a foray into the Indian small
car segment. The company is reportedly
developing a small car with a 1 litre
engine for emerging markets.
|
