Renault-Nissan officials have had a look at Bajaj’s new 'four-wheeler' RE60, but are yet to confirm if they are interested in selling the vehicle, Bajaj Auto’s Managing Director, Mr Rajiv Bajaj, has said.

“They (Renault-Nissan) have seen the product, but they haven’t got back to us yet,” Mr Bajaj said at the sidelines of press conference on the launch of the KTM Duke 200 bike.

In May 2011, Renault’s India Managing Director, Mr Marc Nassif had said that the company would only be interested in the project if the vehicle matches its own “quality of development”.

Bajaj’s RE 60 project initially began in 2007, with the Renault-Nissan Alliance chief, Mr Carlos Ghosn, confirming in 2009 that work was on for an ultra low-cost car with Bajaj. It was then planned that the car would be developed and manufactured by Bajaj, but sold under the Renault-Nissan banner.

While the celebrated RE 60 was unveiled this month, Bajaj chose to call it a ‘four-wheeler’, rather than a ‘car’. Expected to be priced around Rs 1.8 lakh, the 400 kg vehicle is fitted with a 200 cc rear engine, putting out 20 HP. With a target mileage of over 35 kmpl, it will be available in petrol and CNG/LPG fuel options.

roudra.b@thehindu.co.in

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