If successful, it will help auto maker shed its 'one car wonder' tag
Renault, a late entrant into the Indian automotive market, has managed a market share of 1.5 percent on the success of a single product — its compact SUV Duster. Such has been the SUV's success that Duster has today become a more prominent name in India compared to Renault. The French car-maker has been very keen on leveraging Duster's success and deepen its presence in India — the only market which, along with China, will see a demand growth in excess of six percent going forward. It recently launched Lodgy, a multi-utility vehicle. But Renault hopes that its entry-level car Kwid, launched in Chennai today, could well provide the volumes it desperately craves in India.
"Renault Kwid will be the game-changer for us in India," said Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of Renault, while unveiling the car. "It’s a car for conquest and marks our entry into the A segment which accounts for 25 percent share of the cars sold in India," he added. Kwid, the first to be built on the new CFM-A platform, is powered by a 800 cc engine and comes with 97 percent localisation. According to Ghosn, three elements set Kwid apart — its pricing that starts at Rs 3 lakh, top of its class fuel efficiency and first-of-its-kind features in its segment, such as the navigation system.