French auto-maker Renault has confirmed the launch of an MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) besides another entry-level hatchback in India next year.
Renault, the maker of India's favourite SUV Duster, is looking to increase its market share to five percent in the country in next two years. The company will be bringing its much-anticipated Lodgy MPV and a small car in India to tap more volumes in the domestic market.
Currently, Renault enjoys 2.6 percent market share in India and the company eyes three percent by the end of March. In its bid to expand market share, Renault will also be bumping up its dealership network pan India to 175 by the end of this year.
Confirming the launch of two new models, Renault's Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney told Economic Times, "We are ready with the next car. We have products in the pipeline, which will give us volume and we want to cross five percent market share in two years time."
Renault's Lodgy MPV, a killer of Honda's recently launched Mobilio is already in the testing phase in the country and was spied a few times.
Although the company is yet to reveal the details of India-bound Lodgy, rumour mills have already spat out a few details. From what we heard so far, Lodgy MPV will be going into production at the Renault-Nissan Orgadam plant in December this year and the company is likely to price it aggressively in the market.
Though it is too early to assume the price of Lodgy in India, going by the rumours the vehicle will fall in the price range of ₹8-11 lakh to challenge its rivals in the market.
As far as the design and features concerned, we know little about it now. Lodgy, an MPV based on Renault's Duster platform is likely to get power from the 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine, which is tuned to pump in two states of tune and is expected to take design cues from Duster. Previous reports have indicated that the car will make its Indian entry in early 2015.
