Renault-Nissan to launch Indian low-cost car in 2012

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Renault, Nissan Motor Co and their Indian partner will launch an ultra low-cost car in India in 2012 that will cost less than Tata Motor's Nano, the world's cheapest car.

Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of both the French and Japanese car makers, said on Tuesday an agreement has been signed with Bajaj Auto, building on a May 2008 plan for an ultra-low-cost car code-named ULC.

The design, manufacturing and sourcing for the car would be done by Bajaj, with Renault and Nissan handling marketing in India and overseas, Ghosn told reporters in New Delhi.

"I can tell you the cost of this car would be lower than any car today made in India," he said, adding there would be a difference between the cost and price.

India would be the first and main market for the car, Ghosn said, with exports a possibility. He said it would be a competitive and novel product compared to what was currently available.

The closest competitor for now would appear to be the Nano, the world's cheapest car which sold for around $2,000 when it hit the road earlier this year, but other global majors are also looking to launch small cars for the Indian market.

General Motors plans to launch a small car for India at the end of 2010, and Toyota Motor Corp is designing a small car for India that it expects to be ready by late 2011.

Ford Motor Co plans to begin production of a small car in India early next year, although it has said it would not compete directly with the Nano.

India was selected for the project because it was one of the most important markets for growth for autos, Ghosn said, and was also a good source of parts and products to be exported.