Renault India has been under fire for re-badging Nissan products in India and charging a bomb for it. The Renault Pulse and the Scala are essentially restyled Micra and Sunny, that have failed to give Renault the kind of volumes one expected from them.
However, Renault India is believed to be working on exclusive products for India instead of just changing the plastic body parts and badges on Nissan products.
The move is a response to the Renault Duster’s success in India. Renault India explains that the re-badging was essential after the split from Mahindra&Mahindra. The French automaker had to ramp the product portfolio in a very short span of time to show its commitment towards the Indian market.
Renault sources say that the company will still share back-end capabilities with its alliance partner Nissan but the front-end will now have to be completely exclusive. Both automakers will produce visually more different cars in the future. The two partners have separate channel outlets to ensure separate brand identities in India.
It is widely known that Nissan is working on its own version of the Duster. However, Nissan sources say that there will be no sense of déjà vu with the Renault Duster.
Nissan India is busy working on the Datsun brand whose first car is scheduled for a 2014 New Delhi Expo unveiling. Renault, on the other hand, is working on a sub-Pulse product to rival the Alto 800 and the Eon.
[Source: Thehindubusinessline.com]
