The Renault Kaptur, which has been spied multiple times in recent months, could be officially launched in India within the second half of 2017. Renault India, according to Managing Director and CEO Sumit Sawhney, is now planning to expand its stable of products beyond the current trio. India currently has the popular Renault Kwid budget hatchback, the Renault Pulse hatchback, the evergreen Renault Duster SUV and the capable Renault Lodgy MPV. The Kwid is the current bestseller for Renault India, which currently has an around 4.5 percent share in the market thanks to the little car.
With the popularity of the Kwid supporting it, Renault Kwid now plans to launch more productions that are as localised as the small car, which currently has 98 percent of its parts sourced from within India. A Times of India report with CEO and managing director Sumit Sawhney has said that the car maker could be looking at launching a premium hatchback priced higher than the Renault Kwid. This mystery car could just take on the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and other premium hatchbacks. Sawhney has not released any details as such, but he did note that Renault India will be bringing in cars positioned above the Kwid. He said, We will surely have one car launch every year. This will happen as our distribution and sales footprint get stronger. Also Read: Renault Kaptur aka Captur spy images reveal design & features
Renault India
Sales and distribution footprint expansion is another key focus for Renault India at the moment, along with bringing in new models to the stable and achieving high localisation levels to keep prices low and operating costs minimal. The company has been increasing its retail presence in India, ending 2016 with 65 new dealerships, bringing the total strength to 270. We have similar expansion plans for this year too, and a lot of focus will be to get deeper inside the market, said Sawhney. Also read: Renault to discontinue Fluence, other CKDs; focus on localised models
Sawhney said that a crossover SUV could launch in India in the second half, placing along the Renault Duster to gain a bigger piece of India s off-road vehicle segment. As for the new Renault premium hatchback, sources suggest that the vehicle is already under development and could launch in the coming year or so. Renault India has cemented its position in the country with the Renault Duster launched in 2012 and the Renault Kwid in 2015. The small car sold close to 1 lakh units in a year, and sees more than 8,000 units sold in a month on average. Localisation was the key behind the success of the car, said Sawhney.
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