Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Russia's new-car sales fall 2% in December
      FCA-PSA merger adds uncertainty to Peugeot's return to U.S., brand chief says
      BMW aims to double EV sales this year
      EX-VW CEO Winterkorn avoids market manipulation trial but faces tougher test
    • BMW aims to double EV sales this year
      EX-VW CEO Winterkorn avoids market manipulation trial but faces tougher test
      Ford, Audi, Daimler reduce German output on chip supply shortages
      VW Group says 2020 sales slide was slowed by higher EV demand
    • Ford, Audi, Daimler reduce German output on chip supply shortages
      Airline chief to head Swedish bearings maker SKF
      Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      LG Magna-MAIN_i.jpg
      At CES, Magna touts new deal with LG
    • Renault to follow Peugeot, VW in seeking higher transaction prices
      Renault to boost low-volume Alpine brand with 3 EVs
      view gallery
      8 photos
      Dacia Bigster
      view gallery
      8 photos
      Renault 5 concept
    • Mercedes badge_1.jpg
      Mercedes meets European CO2 target with late-year surge in EV sales
      EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      VW to link bonuses to social targets
      New EU 'green-washing' rules will force automakers to be transparent
    • Russia's new-car sales fall 2% in December
      FCA-PSA merger adds uncertainty to Peugeot's return to U.S., brand chief says
      Benz plant in Beijing.jpg
      Mercedes, Audi, BMW post record China deliveries
      LUXESALES-MAIN_i.jpg
      BMW defends U.S. luxury crown
    • Airline chief to head Swedish bearings maker SKF
      Renault names former Google exec to run Alpine brand
      Bentley's top designer, Sielaff, to leave; may join Geely
      RTX326BL.jpg
      LeddarTech names former Opel CEO Carl-Peter Forster to board
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Latest Launches
    • Analyst's View
    • Segment Analysis
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      European car retailing poised for shake-up as 'agency' model gains support
      How Europe will become an EV battery powerhouse
      VW, Ford stumbles force rethink of how to best use social media
    • Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      Tavares: Keeping PSA, FCA merger on track an 'incredible' achievement
      Renault CEO outlines ambitious revival plan
      Why Rolls-Royce boss expects to be profitable despite COVID
    • Veoneer boss expects to reach key milestone this quarter
      How Faurecia aims to become a hydrogen leader
      How Yanfeng gave the car interior a brain
      FCA suppliers in Europe at risk from switch to PSA platform, experts say
    • Chinese EV maker Xpeng outlines Europe rollout plan
      Arrival Van.jpg
      How Arrival intends to disrupt the delivery van market
      Polestar 2's performance, convenience offset range anxiety
      Nio ET7-MAIN.jpg
      Nio debuts first electric sedan
    • BENTAYGAHYBRID-MAIN_i.jpg
      Bentley freshens Bentayga Hybrid
      BMW 4-Series Coupe breaks free from sedan sibling
      Hyundai counts on new Tucson to become its Europe top-seller
      Dacia turns to familiar playbook for all-new Sandero
    • Pandemic forces automakers to focus on brand, conserve cash
      Why prospects for dealer mergers have improved
      Dacia-level price discipline needed to end margin slump in Europe, expert says
      How infotainment systems are taking over the vehicle cockpit
    • Wagons hold market share, but costly EV shift looms
      Electrification gains speed in Europe's key compact segment
      Hybrids beat the market; sales expected to top 1 million in 2022
      Plug-in hybrids set for rapid rise but trouble looms
    • Russia's new-car sales fall 2% in December
      Europe sales by model, Nov. and 11 months: Audi A3, Jeep Compass rise; Toyota Yaris surprises
      Top 10 sellers by market, 11 months: Skoda a top 5-seller in 13 countries
      Russia's new-car sales rise for second straight month
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • Polestar 2's performance, convenience offset range anxiety
      Bosch, Continental battle to supply the brain of the connected car
      Why the ID5 is VW's true rival to the Tesla Model Y
      Volvo, Daimler CEOs praised for leading push to computerize cars
    • Understanding the impact of design on marketing, brand and user experience
      Ex-Aston Martin CEO Palmer calls on UK to intensify battery commitment
      Why Apple must target the $230B luxury car market
      Apple car: Who will build it? Magna Steyr possible candidate
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      Dacia Bigster
      view gallery
      8 photos
      Renault 5 concept
      view gallery
      15 photos
      Toyota Mirai 2021
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Fiat Tipo Cross
    • koenigsegg-gemera-front-quarter-passenger-01.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Koenigsegg Gemera
      view gallery
      21 photos
      Fiat New 500
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Aston Martin V12 Speedster
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Audi A3 Sportback 2020
    • At the Beijing show, sales rebound and EV boom mix with murky outlook
      3BEIJING-MAIN_i.jpg
      Beijing show to highlight competition for local EV makers
      Beijing auto show delayed due to coronavirus
      Maserati will unveil Ghibli hybrid at Beijing show
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
    • view gallery
      4 photos
      Nio ET Preview
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Infiniti Qs Inspiration concept
      view gallery
      5 photos
      BMW 3-series LWB
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Mini Clubman
  • Maps
    • E-Car & Component Map of Europe
    • Powertrain Map of Europe
    • Assembly Plant Map of Europe
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress Conversations
    • ANE Shift
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • ANE Leading Women
    • Watch Again
      • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
      • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
      • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
      • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
    • Meet the 2020 winners
    • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
July 04, 2018 01:00 AM

LCV boss aims to leverage Renault-Nissan platforms

Peter Sigal
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Ashwani Gupta was named head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliances new cross-company light commercial vehicle business unit in 2017. He is responsible for vans and pickups across all three brands, and he is working to find synergies through common platforms and technologies, develop new markets such as China, and integrate Mitsubishi, the newest member of the alliance. He spoke with Automotive News Europe Correspondent Peter Sigal about what the unit has accomplished in the past year, and what the future holds for LCVs.

    It has been a year since the alliance established a separate business unit for LCVs. What have you learned in that time?

    We clearly saw the business grow for all three brands. We have confirmed a fourth common platform between Renault and Nissan. We have a common platform for the Renault Trafic and Nissan NV300, we have a common platform for the Master and NV400, we have a common platform for the Alaskan and Navara pickups, and now we will have a common platform for the Kangoo and NV200.

    Any other big changes?

    The second big achievement is the launch of the Alaskan from our Barcelona plant, which belongs to Nissan but makes the pickup for three brands, Nissan, Renault and Daimler (the X class). This is important in terms of cross development and cross marketing. The third achievement relates to China, where Renault has set up its joint venture with Jinbei Brilliance, and Nissan has started selling the Navara there. We will soon be launching a second frame-based Nissan SUV in China. Finally, we have started working on a future pickup platform with Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi, now in the advance product planning stage. We have a long product planning cycle, so we start with market intelligence. That’s why if we do this exercise together it gives us better efficiency and effectiveness. We start talking about common products, common platforms, cross-manufacturing and cross-development.

    What are the primary goals of the Jinbei joint venture?

    There are three things we are going to do. No. 1 is we will focus on the current business and will expand the Jinbei brand. No. 2 is we will launch some upgrades of the Jinbei brand. No. 3 is we will be introducing Renault-branded vans in this joint venture. Our plan is to sell 150,000 vehicles annually by end of Renault’s Drive the Future plan in 2022.

    Meet the LCV boss

    Name: Ashwani Gupta

    Title: Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Senior Vice President LCV Business

    Age: 47

    Main challenge: Integrate Mitsubishi and increase the alliance's global LCV sales volume by 40% through 2022.

    Ashwani Gupta: "We expect that alliance LCV volumes will grow by 40 percent globally under our midterm plan [through 2022]."

    AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

    This story is from Automotive News Europe's latest monthly magazine, which is also available to read on our iPhone and iPad apps.You can download the new issue as well as past issues by clicking here.

    Speaking of partnerships, Renault has an assembly agreement in Europe with Opel for the Vivaro and the Movano, among others. What is the future of such arrangements?

    For us, the strategic alliance is Renault Nissan Mitsubishi, and this is our power. This brings the economy of scale and the capability of time to market. Our partnerships outside of the alliance are business partnerships. These are done based on win-win situations. We do development and manufacturing for Nissan and Daimler, we do it for Fiat, for Renault Trucks and for Opel. We respect the contracts, and we will continue with them while they are valid. Then, a decision will be taken based on business discussions between the two partners.

    What are your projections for growth in the LCV market in Europe?

    We expect that alliance LCV volumes will grow by 40 percent globally under our midterm plan [through 2022]. As far as Europe is concerned, the LCV business is very much related to how the economy is doing, but the total industry volume is seen as flat at 1.8 million vehicles annually.

    Which global regions have the best potential for growth?

    We are looking at balanced growth. Market by market, the makeup is very different. When we look at the United States, where Nissan has launched the new Titan, the total industry volume [TIV] for LCVs is 4.1 million, driven by the full-size pickup. Then you have China, which is also about 4.1 million TIV. Van sales are going to increase because of last-mile deliveries. Sales of frame-based SUVs and pickups are also increasing there. In Latin America, we clearly see that Brazil is starting to recover, and Argentina sales are also growing. In Southeast Asia, we are seeing the growth of pickups in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Australia. But in the end, we come to the conclusion that LCVs are a commodity that is driven by the world economy. I think every market is going to increase, but it’s a question of which market is going to increase in which segment.

    How has the new Renault Alaskan pickup been received?

    We are very satisfied, but we never disclose our sales targets. The Alaskan is a cherry on top for us. We are new to the market so we are taking our time to understand the customer and where we should position the truck. In Europe, we are taking time to understand the market and move step by step.

    When will we see more integration with Mitsubishi the way we have with Renault and Nissan?

    The question is how do you define integration. Are we working on businesses together with Mitsubishi? The answer is yes. If the question is have we achieved the same level as between Renault and Nissan, the answer is no, because Mitsubishi joined us last year and Renault-Nissan is in its 19th year. Today, we are exchanging best practices to benefit each of us. When it comes to Mitsubishi we have just started, but we are very much on the right track.

    Looking ahead, what role will connectivity, driver assistance and autonomy play in future LCVs?

    It's totally different than with passenger cars. In connectivity, we have launched Renault Easy Connect, which is an ecosystem of connected services. This brings greater efficiency to the fleet and business operations. This is needed for last-mile deliveries, when headquarters needs to understand the fleet and keep track of where it is going.

    How are things different between LCVs and passenger cars?

    For cars, you have heard the language of Level 1-2-3-4-5, but for LCVs, what we want to do first is deploy autonomous features from the viewpoint of driver safety. For example, 80 percent of Nissan NV300 vans are fitted with advanced emergency braking. Another example is a 360-degree camera. Our driver-assistance system called Nissan ProPilot (automatic steering, accelerating, and braking in single lanes) is already in more than 75,000 passenger cars, and we will have ProPilot in the next frame-based vehicles for Nissan and Renault.

    What else is coming?

    We also will have a last-mile autonomous delivery concept that involves the transportation of people as well as objects. In LCVs the first step will be the transportation of people, for the very simple reason that people can move themselves. If you are standing on the road, the van comes in front of you, the door opens automatically and you step inside by yourself. But when it comes to materials handling, the van comes, the door opens but the box remains on the road. The box cannot move on its own, so we need to find a technology that will move the box.

    Do you think of yourself as the No. 1 global brand for LCVs at this point?

    We are on the right track to achieve what we want to achieve. No. 1 is the consequence, it is not the objective. What is really important is that the alliance covered 77 percent of the [global LCV] market with 18 models in 2017. With Jinbei coming on board, we are close to 91 percent of the market, with 23 models. This is the strength of the alliance because we are complementary to each other in terms of products and we are complementary in terms of market. With this market coverage, we are very much on track to become the leading global player.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    Recommended for You
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    2020 Eurostar winner Jürgen Weissinger
    2020 Eurostar winner Jürgen Weissinger
    2020 Eurostar winner Nicolas Racquet
    2020 Eurostar winner Nicolas Racquet
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2020 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Frankfurt Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Latest Launches
      • Analyst's View
      • Segment Analysis
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Maps
      • E-Car & Component Map of Europe
      • Powertrain Map of Europe
      • Assembly Plant Map of Europe
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress Conversations
        • Watch Again
          • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
          • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
          • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
          • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
      • ANE Shift
      • ANE Rising Stars
        • Meet the 2020 winners
        • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
      • ANE Eurostars
      • ANE Leading Women
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us