Nissan, Renault get set for India innings

Nissan Motor will introduce a compact hatchback for India, whose model code is X02A. Slated to debut in 2012, the company has targeted sales of nearly two lakh units. In addition, Nissan will bring into the Indian market a roomy hatchback (code X02B) whose projected sales for 2012 are closer to the 1.3 lakh mark. The engines options for the cars will be 1.2 and 1.5 litre (petrol) and a 1.5 litre diesel.

The Japanese automaker had recently entered into a three-way joint venture with Renault and Mahindra & Mahindra which will see the commissioning of a mega car plant in Chennai at an investment of Rs 4,000 crore. For the moment, Nissan’s presence in the country is confined to the X-Trail which is directly imported.

The focus on the compact segment clearly shows that the company has done its homework well for India and firmly believes that small cars will dominate the landscape for some years. Renault, as is already known, will introduce the Logan from in the coming weeks. This will be part of the Mahindra Renault joint venture and will be assembled at Nashik.

However, for the Chennai project, the company will bring in the R90 (the seven-seater Logan Steppe) and, in good time, a hatchback (code B90) followed by a crossover (code H79) in the medium term.

Both Renault and Nissan will team up on the powertrain venture which will see tremendous synergies in components and savings in costs. For the 1.5 common rail diesel engine, Delphi will most likely be the systems supplier.