Renault To Increase Export Operations From Chennai Plant; Will Expand To Africa

New Delhi

Renault To Increase Exports From Chennai Plant; Will Expand To Africa

Key Highlights

Renault India has started exports to several neighbouring countries
Several African countries is being eyed by Renault for exports
Components to Brazil for producing the Kwid will be exported from India

Having gained a substantial presence in the Indian market, French automaker Renault is now looking enhance exports from India to neighbouring countries as well as Africa, as it aims to make the Chennai plant a manufacturing hub. In a recent statement, Sumit Sawhney, CEO and Managing Director, Renault India said, "Last month we started exporting Duster and Kwid to Sri Lanka. This month we will be entering Nepal while we also prepare to enter Bhutan." The move comes as the neighbouring countries provide impressive growth prospects. Commenting on its export operations further, Sawhney said that a complete strategy will be finalised soon and Renault is looking at other countries in the African continent. Renault recently unveiled the Kwid in Brazil, where the hatchback will go on sale later in the year and will be locally manufactured and sold, while certain components for the same will be shipped from the automaker's Indian facility. Renault Kwid 1-Litre Brazil Renault India has been slowly and steadily climbing the exports chart in recent times. The automaker shipped 441 units outside the country during the April-June period this financial year, an impressive number when compared to the 56 units shipped overseas during the same period last year. The numbers are only expected to grow further as the company introduces its models in African markets. With respect to domestic sales, Renault India has been walking the tight-rope with demand for the Kwid outpacing the supply. The company, however, has been working extensively to reduce the waiting period and recently commenced the third shift at its Chennai-based facility. The automaker now produces around 9000-9500 units of the Kwid now every month. The Kwid has been the turnaround product for the French automaker in India and the volumes have certainly catapulted for the company when compared to earlier years. For the first half of 2016 (January-July), Renault sold 73,863 units in the country, as against the 25,032 moved out during the same period in 2015. That's a massive growth of 195 per cent. With the company aggressive about its domestic operations, demand is only expected to rise from here on as the automaker is gearing up to introduce the Kwid 1.0-litre variant that will go on sale later this month, while an AMT variant is also in the pipeline and will make it to the showrooms soon after. Both versions will be taking on established products from Maruti Suzuki, which make the small car segment extremely fun now.