By 2012, Renault would be launching 3 new cars

A company official says 3 new cars would be launched in Indian auto market by Renault India. This would include the launch of a small car by 2012.

Renault India VP (Marketing & Sales), Len Curran, says the company which is a subsidiary of Renault SAS plans to introduce 3 new cars here in India.

He told the company’s set to launch the small car this year; in the small SUV segment, they would launch ‘Duster‘ in May 2012 or June 2012 and a sedan (mid size) by the end of 2012. With these introductions, Renault hopes to be one among top 3 brands in India.

Curran says since car penetration was highest in Kerala, it was imperative they launch the Koleos there and considers Kerala as an important auto market in India. He says for 1000 people in Kerala, around 40 own cars and feels the average is quite higher compared to other parts in the country.

At the moment, there are 14 dealership outlets of Renault in India, and the company’s planning to reach a total of 40 by this year end, around 70 dealerships by middle of next year and 100 dealerships by the end of 2012. The Koleos so far has been launched only in India.

N. Krishnamoorthi, President of Dealerships Business, says Kochi has dealerships and service centres of Renault. Besides that, there were plans to open the same at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode by the end of 2012. Renault India’s also planning to set up facilities in Karnataka (Mangalore), Bhopal and Indore (Madhya Pradesh) in the coming 6 months.

The Koleos’s price is Rs. 22.94 lakhs (ex-showroom price) and is manufactured at Renault’s plant in Chennai. The production capacity at this plant is 50,000 units annually.