Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd (RNAIPL) Surpasses 4.5 Million Powertrain Units Milestone in Chennai, India

Chennai, 28 October 2024: Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd (RNAIPL), the dedicated production hub for the Renault Nissan Alliance, has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing the production of 4.5 million (45 lakh) powertrain units at its Oragadam facility in Chennai, India. This achievement underscores RNAIPL's pivotal role in supplying powertrains for Renault and Nissan vehicles in both domestic and international markets, marking yet another significant chapter in its journey since the facility's launch in 2010.

The 4.5 million units produced by RNAIPL include an impressive 2.83 million engines and 1.67 million gearboxes, illustrating the facility’s remarkable capacity and efficiency. RNAIPL's contribution extends beyond engines and gearboxes, as it also includes over 2.75 million cars produced for both the Indian market and export destinations.

State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility in India

RNAIPL's Oragadam plant stands out as a globally unique manufacturing facility, endowed with advanced, end-to-end production capabilities. These capabilities begin from the very first steps of engine production—melting aluminium ingots and casting the molten metal into critical engine parts like cylinder heads and blocks. This casting process is managed at the casting shop, while precision machining is carried out in the machining shop to ensure each component is crafted to the exact required dimensions. These parts are subsequently assembled at the assembly shop to create complete engines ready for integration into vehicles.

With the capacity to produce engines ranging from 800cc to 1500cc, RNAIPL’s flexibility in engine production meets the demands of a wide range of models and power specifications, allowing Renault and Nissan to offer varied options to their customers in India and abroad.

Beyond engines, RNAIPL also operates a dedicated production line for gearboxes. This includes everything from machining gears and shafts to handling clutch house machining and heat treatment of gears, ensuring that each gearbox produced meets the Alliance’s stringent quality standards.

Keerthi Prakash, Managing Director of RNAIPL, highlighted the significance of this latest milestone: "The production of 4.5 million powertrain units is a very important milestone for RNAIPL. In addition to powering the cars produced at our Chennai plant, we have also exported powertrain units and components to other countries around the world. Looking to the future, as part of the USD 600 million investment announced by the Renault Nissan alliance, we are readying our infrastructure to produce the engines and gearboxes for our new models."

Innovative Engine Technology and Advanced Quality Control

RNAIPL has consistently prioritised innovation in its powertrain production. Among the premier engines produced at the facility is the HR10 TURBO engine, which features the revolutionary mirror bore cylinder coating technology. This advanced technology, seen in world-class sports cars like the Nissan GT-R, reduces internal engine resistance, thus lowering weight, enhancing heat management, and improving combustion.

The result is a smoother driving experience, marked by optimised acceleration and improved fuel efficiency.

In the realm of quality assurance, RNAIPL employs robotic vision camera technology to scrutinise each powertrain unit, ensuring top-notch quality across all production stages. The sequential process flow implemented in the facility ensures that no unit progresses to the next stage without full quality confirmation. This rigorous quality control process has earned RNAIPL a reputation for manufacturing durable, reliable, and efficient powertrain units.

Preparing for a Sustainable and Innovative Future

RNAIPL's latest milestone comes amid significant strategic investments and preparations for future production. The Renault Nissan Alliance has committed USD 600 million to the development of infrastructure at RNAIPL, which will enable the facility to support the powertrain needs of next-generation models. This includes the expansion of production capabilities to accommodate engines and gearboxes optimised for both internal combustion and electric vehicles.

By leveraging its expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and commitment to quality, RNAIPL is well-positioned to support Renault and Nissan's goals of sustainable growth and innovation. The 4.5 million milestone not only highlights RNAIPL's operational success but also emphasises its strategic role in strengthening the Renault Nissan Alliance's footprint in the global automotive industry.

Conclusion

RNAIPL’s achievement in producing 4.5 million powertrain units exemplifies the potential of India's manufacturing sector and the success of strategic international collaborations. With an eye on the future and a commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, RNAIPL is set to continue its path of growth and excellence, solidifying India’s role as a key player in the global automotive supply chain. This milestone represents a blend of technological prowess, operational efficiency, and a visionary outlook that positions RNAIPL as a leader in automotive manufacturing.