French automaker Renault after launching Fluence on Indian roads is looking for other venues. The company plans to market the low-cost car, as a part of the joint venture with Bajaj Auto, only if the quality of the product satisfies Renault. Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto commented last week that Bajaj Auto along with its two partners Renault and Japan’s Nissan Motors intends to launch a low-cost car by mid 2012. The car is expected to give direct competition to the Tata Nano. As per the agreement Bajaj will design and manufacture the product, and its foreign partners would take care of marketing and sales.
Marc Nassif, Managing Director of Renault India told reporters that the company will go ahead with marketing only if the quality of development of the low-cost car matches their expected standards and DNA. With five products expected to be available for sale by the end of 2012, the company aims to sell 100,000 cars in 2013. As India is seen as a major production hub, the company also aims to export components worth 100 million Euros this year as compared to 35 million Euros in 2010. Renault after it’s not so successful venture with Mahindra has returned with big plans to capture the Indian market.
