First Renault-Nissan Alliance plant inaugurated in Chennai

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has inaugurated the first global plant of the Alliance in Chennai, India. The new plant has a production capacity of up to 400.000 units and will start working in May. The ceremony was attended by Renault-Nissan Alliance Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn and more than one thousand guests, who included the representatives of state government, led by Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The new plant in Chennai represents an investment of 990 million dollars that will employ 1500 workers directly and create 6000 jobs in the region.

According to Carlos Ghosn "Our plant in Chennai represents a key milestone for the Renault Nissan Alliance in India. With the new Micra, we have the start of a product offensive in India that is supported by a localized manufacturing facility capable of making products for both Renault and Nissan."

The new Nissan Micra will be the first vehicle to be produced at the Indian plant. This model is for the Indian market as well as for export to over 100 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Micra will be joined in 2011 by the production of Tenault’s Koleos and Fluence.

The Aliance plant features a new production management system that is based on mutual knowledge sharing and the best practices from both companies. This enables the plant to produce seamlessly Renault and Nissan products on the same line.

Chennai was already the headquarters the Renault-Nissan Technology and Business Centre India Private Ltd (RNTBCI) that contributes for the global operations in the key areas of advanced research and development, advanced CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering), product development, digital vehicle development, information systems development and local and global parts sourcing.