Renault-Nissan to Bring-in Low Cost Small Car i2

The Renault and Nissan alliance is not a new story and it keeps on visiting the news section on a regular basis. This time it is because of the latest announcement made by Renault India which states that this French auto-giant is going to work with Nissan on the development of a low cost small car for the car markets across the globe. This entry level inexpensive small car can be badged as a Datsun – the low cost car brand by Nissan or a Renault. This car would be set to contend against the likes of the segment leading Maruti Alto and Hyundai Eon hatchbacks.

This small car has been named as i2 in the code language of the company and as it is observed that the French auto maker always command for a premium over the products of Nissan, which ultimately leads us to expect that Renault is going to position the car over the Datsun brand in all areas. Renault has always focused on brand engineering than engineering products that drive in huge amount of volume for the brand. For the first time, Renault has allowed any of its cars to sit in the volume pulling segment of the entry-level small cars which will the basic difference between i2 and other cars of Renault.

Renault India is also looking at the export opportunities as it is planning to exploit the volume pulling advantages of the entry-level segment around the world. The plant of Renault-Nissan in Oragadam near Chennai currently exports lot more cars that it sells in the domestic car market of India but India will still be the first market to witness the launch of Renault i2 hatchback. The renowned engineer known for the frugality of his designed cars, Gerard Detourbet is going to take the charge for the development of this small car i2 for Renault which undoubtedly will stand as the cheapest global product for this brand.

Among other big plans of Renault India, the 5-seater Duster SUV is all set for launch in upcoming months. Expected to be tagged in the price bracket of Rs. 8-10 lakh, the Renault Duster SUV can be the first real volume pulling product of the brand on account of the inclined sentiments of the car buyers towards aggressively priced utility vehicles. In the past the overpricing of the Renault cars has come across as a big issue as far as the value conscious car market of India is concerned but with the advent of Renault Global Small Car the brand can wipe off the expensive image.