Renault to Launch MPV & Sub-4 Lakh Car Next Year

French auto major Renault is eyeing 5 per cent market share in India within 24-36 months as it gears up to enter volume segments with the launch of a multi-purpose vehicle and a sub Rs 4 lakh car next year. "We plan to launch two new models in the volume segment next year - an MPV and a sub 4 lakh car. With these new products and the existing portfolio we are confident of crossing 5 per cent market share," Renault India Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney told reporters here.

The company, which recently launched an all-wheel drive (AWD) version of mid-sized sports utility vehicle Duster, priced between Rs 11.89 lakh and Rs 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), has a market share tad over 2 per cent in 2013.

Elaborating on the company's plans, Sawhney said both the MPV and small car would help it get volumes as both the segments are poised for growth in the Indian market. "MPV segment will see a sharp growth in the next three years as inter-city travel would increase with the improvement in road infrastructure and due to the coming up of the 100 new smart cities," he added. With India expected to be the third largest automobile market in the world, presence in the small car segment in the country is very very important for the company, Sawhney said.

"The sub-Rs 4 lakh car would be a completely new product," he added.

When asked if the new products would be re-badged by partner Nissan in the country, he said: "We have already decided not to rebadge the products. Indian consumers are not very forthcoming for cross-badged products."

He added that the company is focusing on the domestic market and has stopped exports of Duster to Europe due to adverse effects of foreign exchange fluctuation. "At this stage with this forex headwind, it doesn't make economic sense for us to export to Europe," he said. The capacity of Renault-Nissan alliance plant in Chennai has been increased to 4.8 lakh units per annum from the earlier capacity of 4 lakh units keeping in mind the future requirements, he added.

The company, which had launched the Duster in 2012 and has sold over 1 lakh units of the vehicle so far, expanded the range with a new variant yesterday. The diesel-powered Duster AWD is available in two options - RxL and RxZ, priced at Rs 11.89 lakh and Rs 12.99 lakh, respectively. "The Renault Duster 2WD was a runaway success in India, and we are confident that the new Renault Duster AWD will resonate with auto enthusiasts across the country," Sawhney said.

Currently, the company sells Duster with both petrol and diesel engines, priced between Rs 7.86 lakh and Rs 11.91 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Renault India also aims to expand its dealer network to 175 outlets by the end of 2014, from the 125 outlets the company had at the beginning of the current year, he said.