The joint venture of Japanese auto giant Nissan Motors and France based Renault is planning to roll-out a new small car in the Indian market in competition with the likes of Maruti Alto and Hyundai EON. Though, the specification and pricing details of this new Nissan-Renault small car are yet to be revealed, it is expected that it will be a sub Rs 3 lakh car.
Renault, which is aiming high for the Indian market with more than 3 portfolio models in pipeline for next year, has appointed its current head of its entry level division, to oversee this small car project in India. While the new small car is not a part of Renault’s upcoming three car models in India next year, it may be rolled-out in the country by mid – 2013.
In a statement given to ET, Sudhir Rao, COO, Renault India, said, "40-50 % of the car market India is at the entry level and going ahead too it will form one-third of the total car market. So, our entry is inevitable. And this is a step in that direction."
The new Nissan-Renault small car will be assembled at their joint production facility in Chennai. The launch of this small car can be seen a part of Renault’s top to down approach in the Indian market, as it first debuted in the premium segment with sedan Fluence and Sports utility vehicle Koleos, and now set to launch its mass segment portfolio models.
