Paris: A year after the successful launch in China, Renault-Nissan Alliance is actively looking at re-entering the light commercial vehicle segment in India soon, a top level official told ETAuto during an interaction recently.
“As far as Group Renault is concerned, we have been developing our international footprint in light commercial vehicle space very attentively since last year. We have started a new business in China. It is true now that Indian market is of much interest to us. We are actively working on relevant platforms to tackle this (Indian) market. Very soon we are going to talk about it,” Denis Le Vot, Global Head of Renault-Nissan Alliance LCV business told ETAuto.
According to an industry insider, in India, the automaker may also look at the possibility of bringing electric LCV.
With increasing urbanization, construction of new highways and market expansion due to e-commerce boom, LCVs in India have become one of the fastest growing segments. LCV has also emerged as the main source of last mile connectivity. The segment’s sales in India have surged by 19. 46 per cent in FY18-19 at 616,579 units compared to 516,135 units a year ago.
The industry, largely dominated by Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, has lately seen a new challenger in the country as the largest passenger vehicle maker, Maruti Suzuki India has grabbed about 4.23 market share with a single product Super Carry.
In India, this would be alliance’s second attempt in LCV space. The Japanese partner of the alliance, Nissan Motor Company signed a joint venture with India’s Ashok Leyland in 2008 that ended eight years later with no good memory. Later, the joint venture was completely acquired by Ashok Leyland.
The JV had come under strain as key products — Ashok Leyland Stile and Nissan Evalia — failed to make their mark in the market.
Looking to strengthen its international presence, the French automaker is relying on light-commercial vehicles to meet Chinese sales target also. Last year it sold 216,000 vehicles, including 163,000 mostly LCVs produced by its local joint venture partner Jinbei Brilliance.
(This reporter was in Paris at the invitation of Renault )