The Netherlands-based company recently inked a contract with Mazda to supply in-dash navigation systems for the newly launched CX-5 CUV and is negotiating to provide units to other vehicles in the auto maker’s lineup.
“Behind the scenes, there is little doubt the relationship between Renault and AvtoVAZ has been fraught with management, financial and legal difficulties,” one auto analyst says.
Only a handful of the cars will be built for the ’12 model year, with output reaching a few thousand in ’13, when availability will increase to all 50 U.S. states and Canada.
New V-6 likely will account for more than a third of the auto maker’s powertrains and contribute to about a 25% improvement in Chrysler’s overall corporate average fuel economy.