About playing hard and working hard, Alaskan reflects Renault’s aspirations to be a top global LCV player
Story and Photography: Bhushan Mhapralkar
The name Alaskan is long associated with a sturdy dog breed, the Alaskan Malamute. With a formidable nature and structure, the Alaskan Malamute was originally bred for hauling freight because of its strength and endurance, often as a sled dog. Over the years of its existence, the Alaskan Malamute has also come to be trained for recreational pursuits. The dual role the Alaskan Malamute has come to play is what is expected of the Renault Alaskan too; about playing hard and working hard.
Unveiled in the form of a show car (which is very close to production model) in Paris in the presence of 150 motoring journalists from 25 countries, including India, the Alaskan reflects Renault’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) business aspirations. With production set to commence in mid-2016 in Barcelona, Mexico and Cordoba, the Alaskan marks Renault’s second pick-up after the Duster Oroch, which was unveiled in Buenos Aries in June 2015. The Duster Oroch is a 1/2-tonne pick-up and the Alaskan is a one-tonne pick-up. Drawing from the extensive pick-up truck know-how of alliance partner brand, Nissan, the Alaskan is heavily based on the new Nissan NP300 Navara pick-up that will make its début at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is also claimed that the same platform will form the basis of a Mercedes-Benz pick-up due in 2017.
Highlighting Renault’s need to enter into partnerships to be a top global player in the LCV business, the Alaskan is set to add thrust to Renault’s aspiration of wanting more. According to Ashwani Gupta, Vice President and Global Head of Renault’s Light Commercial Vehicles Business, Renault want to be a top global player in the LCV business from being a top regional player. “We are now equipped to take our global growth plan forward and fulfil the aspirations of business users and individual LCV customers across the world, thanks to an enhanced product line-up, new services and an upgraded customer experience,” he said.
