The Renault-Nissan Global Alliance recently kick-started production at the new state-of-the-art plant on the outskirts of Chennai. The plant, covering a massive 640 acres of land and set up at an investment of Rs. 4,500 crores, will have a total capacity to manufacture 400,000 units per year at full ramp-up.
The new plant was inaugurated by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Dr. M. Karunanidhi, in the presence of Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman & CEO of the Renault-Nissan Global Alliance.
In his address, Mr. Ghosn said: “Our plant in Chennai represents a key milestone for the Renault-Nissan Alliance in India. With the new Micra, we have the start of a product offensive in India that is supported by a localized manufacturing facility capable of making products for both Renault and Nissan.”
Mr. Akira Sakurai, Managing Director and CEO of Renault-Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd., said that the opening of any new plant is a significant achievement, but the speed and quality of execution at this point in Chennai has been exceptional.
The first vehicle to be produced at the plant will be the new Nissan Micra, a global sub-compact. The Micra, which is also the first vehicle derived from the new V-platform, is destined for the Indian market as well as for export to over 100 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In 2011, the plant will start production of the Renault Koleos and Fluence, both designed for the Indian market.
The facility will operate in full compliance with Alliance’s global manufacturing processes and quality standards. The production management system, launched for the first time at any plant of Nissan and Renault, is based on mutual knowledge sharing and the best practice from both companies.
The new manufacturing process allows the plant to seamlessly mix production of both Renault and Nissan products on the same line. The company has planned to produce three varieties – an hatchback, a sedan and an MPV. The new car produced from the plant will have a high level of indigenization of close to 85 per cent.
The supply park, within the facility, will be hosting six dedicated suppliers for Renault-Nissan. Unipress has already taken a big slot in the supplier park. The plant also hosts two test tracks for carrying out testing of the new models.
The modern facility has a reverse osmosis unit for treating the discharged water. The recycled water is again used for production purpose, thus making this plant as the first zero discharge facility, a truly amazing motto that cares for the environment. The plant is expected to set very high standards in quality in the Indian automobile industry. The product quality is expected to be top class.
The New Micra will be hitting the Indian market by July. The new advanced production line enables reduction of the car’s total weight by 40-90 kg when compared to its predecessor. This weight reduction was achieved by removing nearly 80 parts from the total number of components in a car.
The New Micra looks stylish and elegant and is all set to enter the Indian B segment. The company has not yet priced the vehicle for the Indian market and plans to export 1.8 lakh vehicles to nearly 100 nations, mostly in European and African markets.
