Dongfeng Nissan to build Renault Logan by '10

Shanghai, May 18 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Motor Co, a joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Corp and Nissan Motors, said it would start manufacturing its 1.4L and 1.6L Renault Logan at its plant in Huadu, Guangzhou in 2010, Chinese industry website ifeng.com reported Monday.

Code-named L90, the Dacia Logan will be built on the existing B platform (notably Nissan Tiida/Versa and Renault Clio) at the South China plant, which may greatly reduce development and production costs for new launches.

The Dacia Logan competes with Chevrolet Spark, VW Fox, Kia Pianto and City Rover in global markets but it's still unknown whether any refinement will be made when the car is launched in Chinese market.

Unlike its global alliance partner Nissan, Renault hasn't got a former passenger car partner in the Chinese market, which partly accounts for its low sales volume compared with rivals who have built production bases in China. Industry analysts say Renault should resume talks with Dongfeng Motor Corp on forming a three-way joint venture, but no progress has been made for the present.

Spyphoto of Renault Logan