Renault, Nissan scout for allies in India

Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has hinted that Renault is looking for a partner for its light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and that Nissan is searching for a partner in the passenger car category.

Renault does not have a presence in the commercial vehicles category in the country, whereas Nissan, its sister company, has forged a joint venture with Ashok Leyland for making LCVs here.

Nissan currently imports and sells cars in India from its facility in Japan. Nissan has a 25 per cent stake in Chennai's manufacturing facility, co-owned by Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) and Renault (owning 50 per cent and 25 per cent each respectively).

Ghosh said: "Renault and Nissan are looking to have a partner in every venture and also keep it very separate from each other. We do not want to create a fuzzy situation. "

Each venture will look at a particular area, be it commercial vehicles or passenger vehicles or small car," said Ghosn.

"We have a Nissan partnership with Ashok Leyland for light commercial vehicles (LCVs). We have a Renault partnership for making the Logan with M&M. We have today announced a venture of Renault-Nissan for developing the small car with Bajaj. Renault may look at having a partner for its LCV products and a partner for Nissan's passenger cars," he further added.