No Bajaj name on the badge of the car

To take on Tata Nano, Mahindra Renault/Nissan alliance finalised a deal with Bajaj Auto on Tuesday to produce an ultra-low cost car by 2012. Mahindra Renault/Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn, said he had worked out the broad contours of a highly fuel-efficient ultra low-cost car project with Bajaj MD Rajiv Bajaj that would be out by 2012. Although Carlos Ghosn refused to confirm whether the companies had signed a formal joint venture detailing concrete investment and production plans. When asked about the price range of the car and whether it will be cheaper than the Tata Nano, Carlos Ghosn said, I am sure that the cost of the car will be lower than any car made in India. He also made it clear that production cost of the car could be different from its market price. In the absence of Bajaj MD Rajeev Bajaj, Carlos Ghosn stated that there would be no Bajaj name on the badge of the car. The project that was announced in 2008 has already been delayed, because of the differences between the partners on a host of issues, including badging, designing and positioning of the vehicle.

Carlos Ghosn didn't commented about a May 2008 statement of the companies where they had announced plans to form a JV company for the low-cost car where 50 percent would be owned by Bajaj and 25 percent each by Mahindra Renault and Nissan.  Volkswagen Beetle and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X cars will soon launch in India.

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