Kochi, July 10: Renault India today said it has set a target of selling 30,000 cars in the country in 2012 and planned to bring in smaller cars costing below Rs 4.5 lakh.
"Last year, 1,500 cars were sold in the country. This year the company is aiming at selling at least 30,000 units," Marc Nassif, Managing Director, Renault India, told reporters here during the launch of the 'Duster' in the Kerala market.
He said Renault also planned to bring smaller cars costing below rs 4.5 lakh to India. 'We have plans to bring in smaller cars to India costing below Rs 4.5 lakh. We are working on a more compact platform, we are working fast track on going to smaller cars', he said.
However, he declined to say when the cars would be launched.
Nassif said that besides India, Brazil and Russia are countries Renault is targetting. India has 2.5 million automobile users now and by 2016, it would be four million and about 6.5 million by 2020, making it the third largest automobile market,he said adding India would play an important role in the global economy and in automobile sector.
He said the company's Chennai plant, the only one making Duster right hand drive, would start exporting to UK by this year end. Duster has 60 per cent localised products and soon it would be increased to 80 per cent, he said.
On their Indian investments, he said they would invest over Rs 4,500 crore by 2014.
Asked about the government's proposal to hike taxes on diesel cars, he said it would not be good for the industry.
Renault has three models in India -premium sedan Fluence, luxury SUV Koleos and premium compact- Pulse, besides Duster. Another car, a small sedan, Future, would be launched by Diwali, he said.
Renault has 55 dealerships in India, which they plan to increase to around 100 by end 2012.They would be present with five products across segments by end 2012.
Duster, with all features of a premium vehicle will be offered at an introductory Rs 7.19 lakh entry price for petrol and Rs 7.99 lakh for diesel cars. There will be eight variants.
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