Renault aims faster launches

French automobile major Renault is planning to bring down the time taken to launch vehicles in India. The company launched three vehicles in the last five years and is planning to launch one a year till 2020.

Renault India chief executive Sumit Sawhney said the target in 2017 was to sustain growth propelled by the Kwid. By 2020 the company intended to be among the top five automobile makers in the country, up from seventh position now, he added.

Sawhney said the forthcoming launches would create a new segments, just as the Kwid had done. The company will launch a new car by the end of 2017. While launches will be integral to Renault's strategy, the plan is to make cars suited for India with parts sourced locally. High local content is a focus area because Renault wants to ensure its prices are attractive and operating costs are competitive.

With three segment-defining vehicles, Duster, Lodgy and Kwid, Renault is working very hard to increase its market share. Renault’s market share is 4.5 per cent and it expects to reach 5 per cent as part of its mid-term strategy. Renault, which has been in India for five years, addresses only 30 per cent of the car market with Kwid, a small car, the compact SUV Duster and MPV Lodgy.

The Kwid is the only vehicle that broke into the top 10 league of best selling cars. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai dominate the league despite India having over two dozen automobile companies. While most cars in the top 10 league are 10-20 years old, the Kwid is 18 months old.