Despite bleak demand recovery outlook, Renault is sticking to its plan of doubling its market share to 5 per cent in the domestic passenger vehicle market by 2016 through the launch of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and an entry-level car.
Renault India ended 2013 with an annual passenger vehicle volume of 64,368 units (35,052 units in 2012), garnering a market share of 2.1 per cent.
With sales of over 64,000 units, India became Renault’s 12th largest market in 2013. The 83.1 per cent rise in sales was achieved, thanks to the popularity of Duster (over 51,400 sold), which is now the best-selling SUV in the C segment, pointed out Renault Group’s annual report for 2013.
“In India, our market share has risen above 2 per cent in just two years after we arrived there, despite the difficulties stemming from the fluctuation of the rupee. In India, we have to bolster our performance, as the competition recently brought out a challenger to our Duster,” Gilles Normand, Senior Vice President, Chairman-Asia Pacific, Renault Group, said in the annual report.
The company has decided to increase its market coverage with a comprehensive range of crossovers and an entry range vehicle (A-entry) for India and Latin America.
“Crossovers are a new segment being explored by select OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) in India, with the aim of giving an option to hatchback owners to upgrade.
A cross-over combines attributes of a sedan, a station-wagon and an SUV, according to Subrata Ray, Group Vice President, Icra.
