Renault has launched the locally-made Duster at introductory prices ranging between INR719,000 and INR11.13m (US$13,000-$20,500 in a Delhi showroom) as it looks to increase volume.
The Chennai plant building these right-hand drive versions will also supply Renault UK starting late this year.
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The Indian models will be available with both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol unit is 1.6 litres and the diesel a 1.5.
“This year, we are looking to sell a total number of vehicles which is 20 times more what we sold last year. Duster is one of the five products that we have announced to launch in India,” Renault India Managing Director Marc Nassif told Financial Express.
The company sold 1,500 vehicles last year.
Nassif, however, declined to comment on the sales volume of the Duster but said about 3,500-4,000 orders have already been received.
With Duster the company has reached 60% localisation and plans to increase it to 80% in the next year, he said.
The Duster will compete in India with the likes of Mahindra & Mahindra’s Scorpio and Tata’s Safari.
Nassif said Duster exports to the UK would start by the end of the year.
“Our Chennai plant will be the only Renault facility in the world which will supply the Duster to all the right hand drive markets in the world,” he said.
Asked if the company has cut down the production due to market slowdown, he said no, adding: “Production is going as planned”.
