Mumbai, Sep 19: French car-maker Renault today launched its premium SUV Koleos and said it will launch its small car and two other new models in the domestic market by early next year.
The two-litre, 4x4 diesel Koleos comes at Rs 24.1 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).
“We will launch our small car in India by next January. Besides, we will also launch an SUV and a mid-segment sedan in the same year,” Renault India Sales & Marketing Vice President Len Curran told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the Koleos.
The French car major, which came to the country through a tie-up with the Mahindras earlier had exited from the JV in April 2010, and made its solo debut in the domestic market with the premium sedan Fluence in May.
The launch of the Koleos is a step forward in Renault India's plans to introduce five cars here by the end of 2012, Curran said.
The Koleos made its international debut in 2008 and this is the first face-lift the vehicle has received since its launch, and being sold across five continents.
“The new Koleos made its world debut last week at the Frankfurt Motor Show. We are highly optimistic about the product and we are confident it will cater to the needs of all the customers who are looking for a premium SUV, which combines both style and dynamic abilities,” Curran said.
Curran also said the company will launch a mini SUV, the Duster by May-June next year and a mid-size sedan by next year-end. By 2015, Renault is hoping to be among the top three brands, he said.
Curran said that the company's strategy for India is to first consolidate position in the premium segment and then to go in for volumes. Renault has also plans to expand its dealership network to 40 from the existing 14 by this December, he said adding by December 2012, “we aim to have 100 dealerships”.
Going by the enquiries and on-going festival season, we are confident of selling a good number of the Koleos. PTI
