Renault ends ULC car project with Bajaj

    Renault ends its tie-up with Bajaj and is now looking at other partners for low-cost cars. It may also go solo if required.

    Published On Sep 28, 2012 02:44:00 AM

    7,055 Views

    Renault ends ULC car project with Bajaj

    Not impressed by the RE60, Renault ends collaboration with Bajaj.

    Renault has ended its collaboration with Bajaj Auto for building an ultra-low-cost car and has confirmed that it is looking at other partners, or that it could even go solo if required.

    Renault had closely observed the ULC development at Bajaj, but wasn’t satisfied with the final product – the RE60. “We saw the Bajaj car and it was not what we wanted,” said Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO, Renault-Nissan, at the Paris Motor Show.

    The French carmaker has stated that “it has learnt from its ULC experience in India” and believes it can put the lessons learnt to use and become a big player in the global low-cost car market in the future. Renault has also partnered with Ashok Leyland, which made use of an old, low-cost platform from Renault’s stable and churned out a successful load carrier, the Dost. Apart from India, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is already catering to entry-level segments in emerging markets like China and Russia.

    Renault’s Japanese partner Nissan is developing its own ultra-low-cost cars that it plans to launch under the revived Datsun brand in India. Renault has hinted that it could partner with Nissan for the development of the ULC and look at low-cost products from the Japanese carmaker’s portfolio.

    Apart from the ULC project, Renault has also revealed its inclination towards developing smaller capacity diesel engines in the future. Renault's smallest diesel unit currently is the 1.5-litre K9K and in the interest of downsizing, it plans to develop a smaller and more efficient diesel motor, which may have a 1200cc capacity.

    Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights reserved.

    Comments

    ×
    img

    No comments yet. Be the first to comment.

    Ask Autocar Anything about Car and Bike Buying and Maintenance Advices
    Need an expert opinion on your car and bike related queries?
    Ask Now

    Search By Car Price

    Poll of the month

    The Creta will be the third Hyundai N-Line model in India. Should more mass-market brands have sporty sub-brands?

    Yes, it's something special for enthusiasts

     

    18.32%

    Yes, but only if there is increased performance

     

    44.40%

    No, it's just a gimmick to increase the price

     

    29.39%

    It doesn't always work; just look at Tata JTP

     

    7.89%

    Total Votes : 1572
    Sign up for our newsletter

    Get all the latest updates from the automobile universe