AUGUST 20258ADVANCED NMC BATTERY CELLS WILL BE MADE IN INDIA BY NASH ENERGY AND RINCELLRENAULT EYES INDIAN COMEBACK WITH SUVS, USD 600M INVESTMENT BOOSTA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by Nash Energy, India's only mass-scale LFP cell manufacturer, and US-based Rincell Corporation, a developer of rechargeable cells based on next-generation chemistries, to collaborate on the production of advanced battery NMC cells in India, marking a significant step toward the strengthening of the country's clean energy and electric vehicle sectors.India's first mass-scale LFP Cell manufacturing unit in Bangalore has already been set up by Nash Energy, which has In a significant endeavor to regain its position in India, Renault will invest USD 600 million to enhance production, introduce new SUVs, and increase exports out of its Chennai facility.Through this investment, Renault has taken full control of its Chennai manufacturing plant, which had operated with Nissan as a joint facility; consolidating control over the manufacturing facility will create a streamlined decision-making process and allow for an increased flexibility of operations. more than 15 Indian and global clients. A manufacturing plant with a capacity of around 10 GWh is planned to be built by Nash Energy in a phased manner, aligned with customer demand and commercial commitments.Rincell will give Nash Energy access to its state-of-the-art Nickel Manganese Cobalt Cathode (NMC) battery cell technology as part of the arrangement. In exchange, Nash Energy will oversee the go-to-market and commercialization initiatives and establish a manufacturing plant in India to create these high-performance battery cells. The partnership focusing on Rincell's high-energy and high-power battery cell formats being produced -- the 18650 (4.1Ah capacity), 21700 (5.8Ah capacity), and NMC cells (5Ah capacity with 5C and 4Ah capacity with 8C), customized to meet diverse customer needs. Close collaboration will be undertaken by both companies with Tier-1 and Tier-2 customers to build on existing purchase commitments and to explore next-generation battery cell designs collaboratively."We're thrilled to partner with Rincell to bring advanced battery technology to India," said Sanjay S. Wadhwa, Managing Director of Nash Energy. "This initiative will help accelerate the adoption of clean energy and electric mobility in the country." As the Indian auto market becomes increasingly dominated by SUVs, Renault will launch four new models over the next two years, including new compact and mid-size SUVs and a refreshed version of the Triber MPV. This shift marks a departure from Renault's previous attempts to build its market share with entry-level vehicles like the Kwid and attempts to address the time-shifting consumer demand.The Chennai facility, which is currently operating at half of its capacity, has a maximum capacity of about 500,000 vehicles a year. As Renault hopes to increase its capacity utilization from 50 percent to 100 percent, it will continue export operations to right-hand-drive markets and, in time, left-hand-drive markets.Renault's market share in India has fallen below one percent but its goal now is to take a five percent share of the Indian market by 2030 with a solid local product pipeline and increasing export levels. A newly established design center in Chennai is expected to play a crucial role in shaping India-specific vehicles, tailored to customer needs and price sensitivity.This aggressive strategy signals Renault's renewed commitment to one of the world's fastest-growing automotive markets, positioning India not just as a sales hub but also a key global manufacturing and export base. TOP STORIESTOP STORIESTOP STORIES
< Page 7 | Page 9 >