Amidst speculations that Renault is mulling separation from the ULC (ultra low cost) car project, Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj has said that the prospective passenger car is part of a bigger project, and makes sense even without the marketing tie-up with the French multinational. He added that the small car tie-up with Renault-Nissan is a bonus.
It is to be mentioned here that country’s leading two and three-wheeler maker Bajaj has been in talks with global partners Nissan-Renault for manufacturing the ultra low cost car in India, since year 2008. As per the arrangement between both sides, while Bajaj will be developing and manufacturing the car, Nissan- Renault will be taking care of its sales and marketing.
While further elaborating the company’s plans, Mr. Bajaj said, “We are developing a platform for the needs of Bajaj Auto. It can be used to make a new-generation three-wheeler, a van or a commercial vehicle. We are building the platform for our own needs. The same platform is being used to make the car. The Renault-Nissan deal is icing on the cake. We are very happy being an OEM to them and they will sell the car in India as well as globally under their own name. We have to show them the prototype and we are on track.”
