Bajaj: Small car in four yrs, but not at Rs 1 lakh

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Months after Renault-Nissan-Bajaj announced plans to enter into an alliance for developing a $3,000 car in India, Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL) on Tuesday showcased a prototype of its small car that in all probability will be developed in association with Renault and Nissan and will be rolled out in next two-four years.

“While Renault chief Carlos Ghosn has set a target of 2010 for the Bajaj-Renault car, it is hard to give any specific time-frame. However, in all probability the car would be ready in next two-four years,” says Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, BAL.

Declining to comment on the cost, Bajaj clarified that it will certainly not be a Rs 1 lakh car. “Bajaj’s small car will not be a Rs 1 lakh car as the company’s focus would be on fuel efficiency,” he said, adding the car could be powered by both diesel and petrol engines and will have a unique transmission technique.

This is contrary to the $3,000 car envisaged by Nissan chief when the company entered into a feasibility study with BAL, the report of which is expected by next month.

The company is mulling plans to roll out these cars as well as newly unveiled commercial vehicles at its manufacturing unit in Chakan that will have an initial capacity of 2,50,000 units per annum.

Not just this, Bajaj said the company is also open for an alliance with Renault for its commercial vehicles business and if latter agrees to it, it will be through a new company.

However, keeping its focus intact on the two-wheeler segment, BAL plans to unveil five models this year. While, the two will be an upgraded version of XCD and Discover, the third will be a 125cc scooter called Blade.