Just 48 hours before the Tata 'people's car' makes its debut, another ultra low-cost car, this time from the Bajaj stable, made its appearance. The prototype vehicle will serve as the basic platform for the Renault-Nissan-Bajaj ultra low-cost (priced at around $3,000 or Rs 1.25 lakh) car.
Bajaj may invest around Rs 700 crore in the venture and is pushing to expand the relationship with Renault-Nissan to 'Lite' trucks as well. The company showcased two Lite trucks alongside the car prototype on Tuesday.
About the company's plans, Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj told ET, “Renault has seen the Lite truck, but has not committed joining us for commercial vehicles. That's one of the issues we will discuss through the course of the feasibility study over the next one month. We are open to their participation in commercial vehicles (CVs) as well. We are hoping they will incorporate and include CVs in the scope of our partnership for the ultra low-cost car.”
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The Bajaj prototype, which has been designed in house with inputs from individual consultants and specialists, will be the basic platform on which the ultra low cost-car will be built.
“In terms of direction and intent, this concept will show the way. Of course, some aspects like the external shell will change. But the size, dimensions, powertrain will be more or less the same. So it is hugely indicative,” Mr Bajaj said. The vehicle will be manufactured in Bajaj’s Chakan plant near Pune.
Renault boss Carlos Ghosn has indicated that his $3,000 car will be built on a Bajaj platform with an Indian powertrain. It will have design and chassis cues from Renault. “Other than the chassis, body and interiors, the engine, transmission, steering system, brakes and suspension of the final product will be similar to the prototype,” Mr Bajaj said.
When productionised, the car will give twice the mileage of current B-segment small cars with its gasoline engine. And it will have multiple powertrain options. “We will also have a diesel option and one can always build LPG, CNG and hybrid options on to the platform as well,” Mr Bajaj said. For diesel, Bosch is “one option”, he added.
Bajaj is pitching for higher mileage as the selling point for its car. “Fuel cost is a greater component of the running cost of the car; so doubling fuel economy does more to lower the cost of the car than halving the price,” he said. “We hope the technical specs and features of our car should be quite new and that is what will provide fuel economy,” Mr Bajaj added.
Bajaj will be launching its Lite CVs in 2009. Two models with short and longer wheel-bases were presented on Tuesday. These two base models could then have varying body frames for various applications like open-bodied pick-up vans, close-bodied delivery vans, soft drinks, gas cylinder carriers etc.
These vehicles will be powered by a multi-cylinder diesel engine. Bajaj officials said the “key performance parameters for the new commercial vehicles” have been frozen. The Lite commercial vehicles will also be rolled out from the Chakan plant.
Besides its four-wheeler range, Bajaj will be rolling out some of its two-wheelers at the Auto Expo, too. To add to its Probiking range, it will launch two big bikes this year, the 690cc Duke (from the KTM range) and the 250cc Kawasaki Ninja. It will also roll out its homegrown models the XCD Sprint, the 150cc Discover and 125cc Blade DTSi.
