In 1999, one of the most successful alliances in the global automobile industry was formed between Renault and Nissan. Renault now makes full use of this alliance in South Africa and has announced that it will build its Sandero hatchback locally in Nissan’s Rosslyn plant from 2009.
The Sandero will be developed on the BO platform that proved to be successful for the Logan. In December 2007, the Sandero will make its first appearance after it is both produced and launched on the South American market, after which it will find its way to Europe sometime next year. It will be commercialised in South Africa at the beginning of 2009, only a few months after its European launch.
This announcement was made in Johannesburg yesterday, where Patrick Pélata, Executive Vice President Planning, Product-Planning and Programs for Renault stated that the five-door hatchback Sandero “is modern in design, with an appealing exterior that suggests both dynamic performance and sturdiness.” The front of the vehicle features what the French marque describes as “very expressive headlamps” and a grille that blends into the bodywork. Renault claims that the cabin is roomy and that luggage capacity for this vehicle is 320 dm3 . The dashboard was designed to be modern, but also very functional.
No further details were announced, except that Renault’s budget hatchback will be on show at next year’s Auto Africa where prices and other information will be made available. In the meantime, all that can be said is that in Argentina the Sandero will be powered by a 1,6-litre 16-valve petrol unit and a 1,5-litre dCi diesel engine, while in Brazil it will be offered with three Flexfuel engines that burn biofuels (unlikely to be the units on offer locally) – a1,0-litre 16-valve, a 1,6-litre 8-valve and a 1,6-litre 16-valve. The Sandero is intended to take on the likes of the Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Spark, Tata Indica and Kia Picanto.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance is only a few years old, and already both companies have reaped the benefits of it; benefits meaning increased market capitalisation. Nissan previously signed an assembly contract with Fiat Auto SA that started in July 1998, but Nissan reported in June 2005 that it has no intention of renewing this contract, which is due to end in June 2008.
Other Renault vehicles planned for South Africa include the new Twingo, and the French manufacturer’s first cross-over, the Koleos.
