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Rival in the making
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Renault-Nissan and Bajaj Auto decide to take on the Nano
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Renault-Nissan and Bajaj Auto have signed an MoU for a 50:50 JV to produce a no-frills four-door, four-seater to rival the Nano. Dubbed the ULC for now, it will be loosely based on the Lite concept Bajaj displayed at the Auto Expo in Delhi earlier this year. The company is clear it will match Tata’s Rs 1 lakh ex-showroom price when it hits the market in 2011.
The car will in all probability be built at Chakan, near Pune, where Bajaj has a 250-acre plot adjacent to its two-wheeler facility. The plant will produce 400,000 cars a year, with capacity for expansion, especially if export demands have to be met. The car has potential for growing markets in eastern Europe and South America, and also south-east Asia.
Bajaj brings its expertise for cost-effective manufacturing, while critical aspects pertaining to the car’s engineering, notably the powertrain, will be handled by Nissan. Bajaj Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj stressed that the car’s USP will be its fuel economy, and the ULC promises to deliver 30kpl.
Nissan will launch eight new models in India by 2012, four of which will be locally manufactured. The range will include entry-level cars, saloons, hatchbacks, SUVs and family utility vehicles and light commercial vehicles.
The next product to be introduced in India will be the popular Murano crossover, scheduled for launch in 2009. Not counting the ULC, Nissan expects to sell more than 100,000 vehicles in India by 2012 through 55 dealerships
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