Renault-Nissan Alliance Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn today joined more than 1000 guests in Chennai, India, for the inauguration of the first dedicated Renault-Nissan Alliance vehicle manufacturing plant. Representing an investment of 45 billion Rupees ($990 million) and with the capacity to produce 400,000 units per year at full ramp up, the new Chennai plant will initially employ 1,500 workers at start of production in May 2010. With a supplier park of six companies in Chennai, the company estimates a total of 6,000 jobs will be created in the region. The new plant will operate in full compliance with Alliance global manufacturing processes and quality standards. The new manufacturing process allows the plant to seamlessly mix production of both Renault and Nissan products on same line.
The first vehicle to be produced at the plant will be the new Nissan Micra, a global sub-compact. The Micra, production for which will commence in May 2010, is the also 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 destined for the Indian market. Chennai already plays host to the Renault-Nissan Technology and Business Centre which is contributing to both partners’ global operations in the key areas of advanced research and development, advanced Computer-Aided Engineering, product development, digital vehicle development, information systems development and local and global parts sourcing.