Renault to China production via Nissan

　　At the end of 2009, during his visit to China Renault Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said that Renault hoped domestic production should be achieved when the time was ripe. The domestic base may be settled in Guangzhou Huadu. Now Renault has made new progress as to the plan of domestic production. In mid-February, Ghosn said in France that Nissan was preparing for the final action of Renault's entry into Chinese market.

　　He explained that since Nissan held certain shares in Chinese auto market, Renault would have ready access to Chinese suppliers, dealership network, manufacturing base and rapid response mechanism. This means that Renault will achieve domestic production soon with the help of Dongfeng Nissan's existing system.

　　According to the plan devised by Toshiaki Otani, the General Manager of Dongfeng Nissan, Dongfeng Nissan will further increase production capacity in 2010. In addition to utilizing the existing capacity potentials and building a new plant, Dongfeng Nissan is planning to build a new factory with the annual capacity of 300,000 units. The products made by the new plant will include Renault models. Nissan said that in the next three years, the Renault Nissan Alliance will establish production base in China with the annual production of no less than one million units. Nissan models account for 70% and others will be Renault's models.

　　An insider from the Renault Nissan told the China Youth that since the sales of Koleos were pretty satisfactory in 2009 the first Made-in-China model would be a small-displacement SUV like Koleos. Megane, Scenic and other models with smaller engines will also become the first Made-in-China Renault models. A small car named CLIO will be imported to China after Shanghai Auto Show and then it will be produced domestically.

　　China has become an important overseas market for Renault. Some sources related to Renault China told the China Youth that in 2009 the Renault received more than 8,000 orders in China and the actual sales totaled over 5,000 units. In 2010 Renault's goal is 10,000 units, up 100% over the previous year. However, as to the rumors about domestic production, Chen Guozhang, the CEO of Renault China, remained silent. He said that the domestic production is the matter belonging to the headquarters and his duty is to do his own job well. In 2010 Shanghai Auto Show Renault will show seven to eight models. Renault's dealerships will increase to 49 and the 2010 model of Koleos will be introduced to market soon. (Translator: Qinghua/Hanxin)

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