The new car factory set up by Nissan of Japan with its French partner, Renault, at Oragadam near here was inaugurated today in the presence of state Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
Carlos Ghosn, chief executive, Renault-Nissan Alliance, said the new plant would manufacture 200,000 cars, half for the export market, by 2012, and 400,000 by 2014.
The company is planning to export cars to around 100 countries in Europe, West Asia and Africa. “The new Micra (Nissan’s latest compact car) will be exported to 35 countries in Europe from September 2010,” added Akira Sakuari, CEO & managing director, Renault Nissan Automobile India Pvt Ltd.
Nissan is planning to launch nine models over the next two years, including the sedan version of the Micra, expected to hit Indian roads by July.
“We have initiated dialogue with banks, both private and public sector, to finance our customers and dealers. As part of the long plan, we are looking at setting up our own financial arm,” said Kiminobu Tokuyama, managing director and chief executive officer.
To achieve the sales target, the dealership network will expand to 82 by 2013 from eight at present.
As for renault, it is to start assembling two cars meant for the Indian markets at this unit later this year. The launch in the market would be next year.
Marc Nassif, Country GM for Renault India and Deputy MD of the Indian arm, said assembly would begin of the Koleos SUV and the Fluence Sedan, two new cars meant for the Indian markets. The positioning would be in the ‘D’ segment.
Sakuari said the plant would commence production in May with one shift and be gradually scaled up. The 1,200 employees would be increased to 1,500 by May 2010 and to 3,000 by 2012, he added.
