Renault-Nissan eyes 10% of China car market by 2013

Shanghai, June 18 (Gasgoo.com) The Renault-Nissan alliance wants to win 10% of the car market in China within a few years, Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of both Renault and Nissan, said in an interview with Paris Match, Reuters reported today.

The alliance's aim is to reach the market share targets by 2013, a Renault spokeswoman said, clarifying Ghosn's comments. The alliance currently has 6% of the Chinese car market. China has become the most profitable market for Nissan Motor, Ghosn said earlier this month.

Nissan has been in China since 2002, producing cars locally at its joint venture with major Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor Group, and Renault will start Chinese production one day by using the Nissan's facilities, Ghosn said. Currently, Renault models are imported for sale in China.

Nissan Motor expects its sales in China to grow 12% to 850,000 vehicles this year. The automaker aims to expand its production capacity in China to 900,000 units by 2012. Its Leaf electric vehicle will come to the Chinese market in 2011 and may eventually be built at a Guangzhou plant.

Meanwhile, the Renault-Nissan alliance also aims for 10% of the car market in the United States by 2013. The alliance currently has 8% of the U.S. car market, Reuters reported. China last year overtook the U.S. as the world's largest auto market.