Nissan Hands India Over to Renault in Exchange for a Twingo
This page is translated from the original post "Nissan cède l’Inde à Renault contre une Twingo" in French.
- 31/03/2025 14:18
Is Renault taking advantage of Nissan’s current weakness to seize one of the jewels of their alliance?
The French manufacturer will in any case become the sole owner of Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL) by buying out the 51% stake held by its Japanese partner. A strategic acquisition that allows Renault to reinforce its position in a rapidly expanding automotive market.
While Nissan is thus losing its industrial foothold in India, it doesn’t leave empty-handed. On one hand, it secures a low-cost electric model, a derivative of the Twingo, which will be designed by Nissan but produced by Renault through its Ampere subsidiary starting in 2026. On the other hand, the transaction provides welcome cash as the Japanese automaker seeks to improve its financial situation.
The agreement stipulates that Nissan will continue to use RNAIPL to produce and export vehicles, and that the Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center India (RNTBCI) remains a joint venture, with 51% for Renault and 49% for Nissan. RNAIPL will also continue manufacturing the Nissan Magnite and serve as a lever for future projects of the French group.
Renault Has the Free Hand
For Renault, this acquisition represents a golden opportunity to solidify its international activity, particularly in the Indian market, one of the most dynamic in the world. On its side, Nissan is not disappearing entirely from the scene: the brand plans to expand its market coverage with new SUVs and continue to make India a key center for R&D and digital services.
Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, emphasizes the agility and efficiency of the new Alliance, confirming the attractiveness of Renault’s models and its desire to grow in global markets. With this operation, Renault secures a dominant position in India. On the other hand, Nissan gains a ready-made, low-cost electric model, based on the Micra, which is just a Renault 5 rebadged. Add to that a good injection of cash, and you understand that the Japanese manufacturer is ultimately not making such a bad deal.
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