its not the looks.
point is mahindra renault failed to make a good name in market and people feel their money being at risk. after all whatever they buy has to go for generations you see. also for them it is most important that the car they are buying is the top selling car in country, only then it is called a car else a bullock cart.

latest news on renault and nissan is posted here
http://mahindralogan.forumotion.com/news-f4/new-logan-variant-t470-60.htm?highlight=variant

the Tamilnadu thing is covered in above article and is going no where.

I checked but did not come across anything about the JV between Nissan-Renault in the link you posted. When did this news come out?

I think now its time for Renault to start thinking about tackling the Indian market by themeselves. People are always afraid of JVs regardless of how good the product is. From 1995-96 some major auto giants started entering Indian market. Dawoo introduced the first premium sedan Cielo in India, which at that time was the status symbol. Ford started in partership with Mahindra, but later started its own operations. If Honda, hyundai etc. can make it why can't Renault??? Wake up Sid.. oops sorry wake up Carlos Ghosn.

yes it seems JV in automobile industry is not working except Maruti and Suzuki JV.