vIndianz.com (3 Mar, 2010) — Geneva: Auto giants from Japan Nissan announced on Tuesday that it was in talks with Ashok Leyland for developing a small car for the global market that could be priced at around $4,500-5,000 (about Rs 2.50 lakh).
Nissan is already partnering with Indian two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto and Renault in developing a low cost car a la Tata Nano which is priced at $2500 (Rs 1-lakh), according to media reports. But with commercial vehicles heavyweight Ashok Leyland as partner, Nissan is likely to target India’s largest selling car, Maruti’s Alto.
“We have a formal agreement with Ashok Leyland for making light commercial vehicles in India…in addition to that we also use Ashok Leyland’s engineering services for various purposes. At the moment we are talking to them and many other partners in China, Indonesia…for a price centric vehicle,” Collin Dodge, Nissan Motor Co’s executive vice-president told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show.
The company on Tuesday unveiled the new Micra at the Geneva Motor Show, based on the new V platform specifically designed for cheaper compact cars.
The Micra will be built in only five locations, including Thailand, India, China and Mexico, and will be sold across 160 countries.
Nissan and Renault had announced a tie-up with Bajaj Auto in 2008 to produce a car priced at $2,500.
Nissan is already partnering Ashok Leyland in a light commercial vehicles joint venture. The JV, at present, is developing both trucks and buses in the 3-tonne and 6-tonne category.
Renault Nissan will be inaugurating their maiden car factory in Chennai later this month, with an initial capacity of 200,000 units per annum expandable up to 400,000 units per annum by 2015. The cost of setting up this plant is Rs 4,500 crore, retors revealed.
Further Reading- Toyota to manufacture 70,000 compact cars in first year
- Nissan sells first Leaf to California man – MarketWatch
- Nissan sells first Leaf to California man – MarketWatch
- Nissan sells first Leaf to California man – MarketWatch
- Renault Names Tavares as Ghosn’s Deputy After Exit of Pelata in Spy Probe – Bloomberg
- Sales growth draws more attention to Asian car companies – Houston Chronicle
- GM, Toyota Lead February’s Auto Sales Gains – Wall Street Journal
- Renault Fluence Price in India – Premium Sedan Car in Diesel and Petrol Engines
- Despite changes, Detroit auto show continues dominance – The Detroit News
- Maruti recalling 1 lakh ‘A-Star’
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