Renault to Use Nissan Global Platform for Indian Compact Car

Renault has already announced plans to debut a new compact car in India and, according to the officials involved in the matter, the French manufacturer will make use of Nissan's global platform for this particular goal. Renault Asia Africa Management Committee Executive Vice-President Katsumi Nakamura said that the company is currently studying several options, including the Sandero and Twingo but none of them fits the right profile for an Indian model.

"We have a partnership with Nissan and Nissan has a platform for such type of car (compact car) and we can use that platform. We have some discussion over this," he said.

"For the small car, we are studying what kind of car is the most appropriate for us. We are studying Sandero or such type of car but the Sandero is a little bit too big. We are also studying Twingo or such type of car but it is just two-door only. Clio is also a little bit too big. So we are trying to find some solutions," Nakamura said.

Renault confirmed last week that it will debut several models in India, including small and luxury cars, specifically tweaked for the local market.

“Our plan involves introduction of several new cars within 18-24 months and a full range in a 48-month timeframe. These cars will be produced in Chennai and we plan to launch the Fluence and the Koleos models in 2011," Marc NASSIF, Country General Manager and MD of Renault India said in a statement.

"Our range will have Small to Luxury cars and will be mix of Renault models and shared platform cars within the Renault-Nissan Alliance, including a Crossover. We are also close to finalizing our plans for a distribution network and will definitely be in a position to announce our plans in the 1st week of February 2010.”