Calcutta, Feb. 5: Auto makers have taken to sharing platforms as part of a new manufacturing strategy. For instance, the Renault Pulse and the Nissan Micra, which have striking similarities, are manufactured on the same platform and in the same plant.

The concept of sharing a platform involves manufacturing dissimilar models from a similar mechanical base that might include chassis, suspension, brake, engine and other body components.

Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors have already adopted similar trends in India.

Maruti has the same platform for the hatchback Swift and the sedan Swift DZire, while the Tatas follow a similar strategy for the hatchback Indica and the sedan Indigo.

Overseas car makers, who have set up base in India, are also following a similar plan.

Besides Renault-Nissan, Volkswagen has the same platform for its sedans Vento and the Skoda Rapid.

Smart logic

According to I. V. Rao, managing executive officer (engineering) of Maruti Suzuki India, there are certain advantages of having a similar platform. “Development of a new platform is costly and time consuming,” Rao told The Telegraph. With growing competition, car makers have to rely on an existing platform to develop newer variants and even source components from other partners, Rao added.

“Our strategy was to introduce a hatchback in a planned line up of five cars that we are looking to introduce by the end of 2012. So, we took advantage of an already existing platform (of our partner) and came up with the Pulse,” said Marc Nassif, managing director, Renault India.

Further, the savings in development costs could be redirected towards providing more value for money to consumers.

“Customers today are conscious about the value for money and ask for benefits such as additional convenience and security (such as dual airbags, automatic climate control system, USB control). They are ready to pay more for that,” an automobile dealer said.

Both the Pulse and the Micra are produced at the Oragadam plant in Chennai. The facility is shared by the Renault-Nissan alliance and has a capacity of 200,000 units per month.