Franco-Japanese auto alliance Renault-Nissan today said it will look at localisation of products in India to become more price competitive and make a mark in the country.
The two companies have formed a joint venture -- Renault-Nissan Automobile India -- to set up a plant here at an investment of Rs 4,500 crore. The plant will have the capacity to produce 4 lakh vehicles annually when fully operationalised.
The first car to be rolled out from the plant is small car Micra from Nissan's stable, which will be launched today.
"I think Micra will have around 60 per cent of localised content... We want that to reach 80 per cent," Renault-Nissan Automobile India Deputy Managing Director Marc Nassif told reporters here.
Nassif, who is also the Renault India Country General Manager and Managing Director, said Renault's sedan, Fluence, will be rolled out from the plant by 2011, adding that the company is keen on localising products they manufacture at their facility here.
Renault plans to launch five new models in India, including a compact car, between 2011 and 2013. The first of them will be the luxury sedan Fluence, followed by crossover vehicle Koleos in mid-2011.
In order to sell the products, the company has charted out an aggressive dealership network expansion plan in India, aiming at establishment of 70 outlets by 2013.
