Renault to launch at least one new car in India every year

In order to further cement its position in Indian markets, French carmaker Renault has recently announced that it will launch at least one new model in India every year, for the foreseeable future. The company has experienced staggering sales over the past few months as it sold around 12,424 units in the month of March.

"We have already talked about launching one litre and AMT versions of the Kwid. New Duster has already been launched and going ahead, we plan to launch at least one new model each year in the country over the next few years," Renault India Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney told PTI.

He added that the company will also continue to bring new products from its global portfolio into India. “We are launching products in the country at regular intervals but we want to ensure that we introduce right products at the right time," he said.

The Kwid has proved to be a perfect product in the French carmaker’s lineup for India after it was one of the most sold cars in the country during the previous month. Sawhney believes that this will help fast-track his company’s plans in India. “We had earlier said that we will reach 5 per cent market share by 2017. But now looking at the response Kwid has received and March sales, I think we will be able to reach the target this year itself,” Sawhney said.

During January-March 2016, the company cumulatively sold 29,289 units against 11,404 units, a y-o-y growth of 157 per cent. “Our contribution (to Indian markets) has gone up and we are now the leading players in the region. We are among the top five countries globally for the Renault,” Sawhney said.

Renault had recently launched the updated version of its popular SUV, Duster in rather hushed tones. The MPV, Lodgy is set to go under the knife next and will soon come with a new base variant and also in an AMT avatar.