The company silently unveiled its 'Lite' concept car in New Delhi, two days before the much hyped launch of Tata Motors' Rs 1 lakh car.
Bajaj Auto, the country's second biggest two-wheeler maker, said it plans to bring out its small car in collaboration with Renault and Nissan within four years but it will not be for Rs 1 lakh (Rs 100,000).
"I know Carlos Ghosn (President and CEO of Renault and Nissan) has set a target of 2010 for Bajaj-Renault car. While it is hard to put any time-frame, we can say in two-four years we can expect to have the product ready," Bajaj Auto managing director Rajiv Bajaj told reporters in New Delhi.
Bajaj declined to give a specific price of the small car. Ghosn has earlier stated that Renault was looking for a $3,000 car in India, a move triggered by Tata Motors' Rs 1 lakh car that will be unveiled later this week.
They are developing both diesel and petrol engines. Bajaj Auto will also be setting up a new manufacturing unit in Chakan that will manufacture the small car and light commercial vehicle.
Bajaj has done away with the centre panel and placed the two front seats touching each other. The gear shaft has been mounted on the dashboard.
The company said it will also take inputs from Renault-Nissan for development.
BAL and French carmaker Renault are currently undertaking a feasibility study for partnership in the small car project and is expected to be completed by next month, he added.
Bajaj said a new manufacturing unit at Chakan would be set up, which in "all probability" will produce the car. The unit will also make a light commercial vehicle that BAL will launch in the first quarter of 2009. It will have an initial capacity of 250,000 units per annum.
BAL showcased its concept car, built on its 'Lite' platform ahead of the 9th Auto Expo beginning this week, along with its light commercial vehicle range.
Bajaj also said the small car from Bajaj-Renault could have a 'unique' transmission, which could be in between manual and automatic.
"Renault says it is thinking over. . . I am open to it." BAL would also launch three two-wheelers in 2008. "These will be 125 cc XCD DTS-i Sprint, which will be a sports bike and Discover 150 cc DTS-i in the motorcycles segment, while a 125 cc Blade will also be launched," S Sridhar, BAL's CEO two-wheeler, said.
Lets wait for TATA'S 1lakh car.
3 comments:
I may buy this car by 2010.
It is having good interiors.
Nice blog.
After Tata Nano's release any body go for this car.
first of all thanks for ur comments. Good question. After nano's release we can't say how people will accept it. And this bajaj's car will be coming in 2010. So until that time we can expect the nano's result. Lets see.
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