It looks like Japanese car maker Mitsubishi is all set to get a new lease of life in India with the help of Renault-Nissan Alliance. Mitsubishi India currently sells only Pajero Sport SUV and the company is struggling due to lack of resources in India. The company severed almost two-decade-long ties with the Indian partner Hindustan Motors recently.
"We are discussing what the best platform strategy is for us which will address a very important part of the Indian market" said Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn reports Autocar India. When asked about Renault-Nissan's plans for partner, he replied "Mitsubishi could be a possibility," the reported added.
The co-operation between both parties will be part of the global association announced in May 2016. Nissan Motor Co Ltd had announced strategic alliance with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) in which Nissan will take a 34 percent equity stake in Mitsubishi for ¥237 billion ($2.2 billion). The entry of Nissan came after Mitsubishi in April admitted it had cheated on fuel efficiency tests to show better fuel consumption rates in over 600,000 vehicles.
Coming back to India, the alliance is expected to work together in development of platforms, sourcing of components, sharing common production facilities and investments in future technologies. Renault-Nissan's plant in Oragadam, Tamil Nadu still has spare capacity and supplier base that can be utilised for new models of Mitsubishi.
The most important new generation car expected from Mitsubishi for India is the new Mirage. The hatchback is expected to be powered by 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol motor tuned to make 76bhp of power and 100Nm of torque mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Apart from this small car, a range of new generation SUVs from international portfolio is also expected.
