Renault and Nissan have announced a major investment of 600 million dollars in India to produce six new models, including the first two electric vehicles (EVs) the companies will manufacture in the country. The EVs will be part of the A-segment and will be exported as well, with the partners promising to build on their previous experience and expertise in the electrification of the mass market, which began with the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe more than a decade ago.
The Chennai plant where the six new models will be produced will be based on common alliance platforms, with three models from each company. The platforms are expected to be the Common Module Family (CMF-AEV) platform, which was recently mentioned for future projects in Latin America and India.
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In addition to production preparations for the new models, the investment will also bolster research and development in the vicinity of Chennai, with the potential to create 2,000 additional jobs at the Renault-Nissan Technology & Business Centre, which will focus on both Indian and international projects.
As part of the new product and development drive, Renault and Nissan will also reorganize their joint operations, with Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL) being 51% owned by Nissan and 49% by Renault, while Renault Nissan Technology Business Centre (RNTBCI) will be 51% owned by Renault and 49% owned by Nissan in the future. This reorganization is aimed at strengthening the partnership and giving the joint ventures more responsibility and autonomy.
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The Renault-Nissan Alliance sees this as a “new chapter” with new vehicles, new research and development activities, and new export markets that will take their joint activities to the next level. The alliance’s goals for the next 15 years include joint EV activities in Latin America, India, and Europe, with talk of a joint 800-volt platform for the latter.
The new initiatives also include a reorganization of mutual shareholdings, with Nissan taking a stake of up to 15% in Ampere, the Renault Group’s future independent electric car division, and Mitsubishi also considering a stake in Ampere. The details of the latter remain unknown.
