Renault mulling car-making plants in Pakistan

[OO7]

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Renault mulling car-making plants in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The government is following investor-friendly policies and special incentives are being offered to attract entrepreneurs to invest in different sectors of economy.

Like other sectors, the new entrants in the auto sector are also being offered a special package spanning three years. Under this package, the deletion requirements will not come into play, said Federal Minister of Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Jahangir Khan Tareen at a meeting with French Ambassador Regis De Belenet on Tuesday. According to an official statement, the meeting was also attended by Secretary Industries Kamran Rasool and Head of French Economic Missions for Islamabad and Kabul Jean-Phillippe Quercy.

The minister elaborated that we are working for a more comprehensive auto policy. The South African model is being studied for the purpose, said Mr Tareen, adding that a workshop is being organized on March 8 to elicit views from all the stakeholders for formulating an auto policy.

The French ambassador said foreign investment was booming in Pakistan, but the French share of this investment was very low. “So we are keen to increase our investment in Pakistan.” A French car manufacturing company, Renault, was considering setting up plants in Pakistan, informed the ambassador. He said Renault was among the world’s top 10 car manufacturers. Renault-Logan Model was making 450,000 cars a year and was expanding its worldwide operations to manufacture 1.2 million cars by 2012. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C03%5C01%5Cstory_1-3-2006_pg5_6

[shueyb]

Renault is reportedly in negotiations with Ghandhara Nissan Limited for using their assembly plant for the assembly of Logan sedan.

We have been hearing about this South African model for our auto industry lately. Does anyone know what this South African model is all about?

Whatever, it's about time we should implement a long-term policy to encourage and invite international auto companies to set up their plants in Pakistan.

[hhl]

agree with u, wots the south African model.

Those workshops next week should giv us some idea

[nickatnite]

Hello shueyb!.The South African model is similar to the indian model, the korean model and other emerging car markets.Which means, they have a large consumer base!!.That's the key that will open a lot of car doors!.If pakistan has a large consumer base that will support an annual sale of over 500,000 cars minimum, annually the auto majors will set up shop directly and not deal through assemblers as of now.Prices will come down naturally through economies of scale.Government policies are essential to all of the above.

Interestingl, Mahindra Motor in India is going to build the 'Logan' in india and price it at 5 lacs/indian rupees.it is expexted to be released by the end of the year.I wonder how much it will cost in pakistan??

[masterumer]

Renault Logan! Well Liana has got a sister

[shueyb]

Thanks nickanite. I think Renault is making Logan their global car model, as it is also being produced in Iran. In Europe, it is the least expensive sedan, as far as I know. Logan originally is the product of Dacia, a carmaker from Romania, which has been taken over by Renault.

And regarding the South African model, do you have any idea of the policies that have been in place for their auto industry over the last decade or two? What was their policy regarding mandatory localization of content, and did they allow liberal CBU imports?

According to the latest projections, the Pakistani car market is expected to grow to 500,000 units by 2010-12.

[sasifh]

More and more companies should come in to Pakistan. Once local assemblers get some tough competition they will probably increase their quality standards. As for the looks of Renault Logan I think it will be a good competetor with Kia Classic.

[AbidSiddiqui]

man wata acar

[shueyb]

Logan has the styling of 1980s. Did this car have any previous models?

[spectra]

interior is excellent, and styling is from 90's
80's is way back yaar. Fiat Uno is 80's

this is way better

[cipher]

not impressed at all, ford focus is a better car for our market 9k$ and a good car v shd b importing ford

[stangmurder]

Bohat Tight

[nightsurfer]

techinical specs?