Renault/Nissan/Bajaj to Build Nano-Fighter
The Detroit News, internationalists that they are, report that Renault/Nissan is entering into a joint venture with India's Bajaj motors to take on the ultra-cheap Tata Nano (a.k.a. the one lahk car). Bajaj will own fifty percent of the joint venture, with Renault and Nissan splitting the rest. Together, they'll build a new factory in Chakan, India, Starting in 2011, the facility should eventually bang-out some 400k entry-level rides per year, heading for both the Indian and Chinese new car markets. No details are available about the powertrain or standard equipment (wheels? side mirrors? doors?). Whether this sudden craze for inexpensive mass market motors becomes a cash cow or a money pit remains to be seen; the challenge represents one of Nissan/Renault's most ambitious international projects. Still, Renault found plenty of karma with their first forray at the bottom of the market with the [formerly Dacia] Logan. The Indian version, built with Mahindra and Mahindra was a big hit for all concerned. The Iranians also build a version, but that's a story for another day.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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Business Week has an interesting article on the Nano: Inside the Tata Nano Factory http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/may2008/id2008059_312111.htm?campaign_id=yhoo
@Alex Dykes: with oil as the major source chemical for plastics, I'm not sure plastic is going to be a cost effective replacement for steel.