Bajaj to miss target to introduce low-cost car

PT Bajaj Auto Indonesia (BAI) Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj has ordered that the work done so far on a low-cost car project the company is doing in partnership with Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. be stopped. Bajaj demanded major modifications on design, positioning and other details, media reports said, and so the project will most likely miss its deadline in 2011. Renault COO Patrick Pelata admitted that BAI was unhappy with the design and positioning of the proposed ultra-low-cost car. When the tie-up was announced last year, Bajaj was in charge of power train, platform development and supply lines whereas Renault and Nissan were supposed to chip in with design and engineering. (March 15, 2009)