French car-maker Renault debuted in the island country Sri Lanka last week by introducing the made-in-India Kwid hatchback. The company will reveal the price of the small car shortly and it will also launch the Duster SUV in Sri Lanka.
Post the announcement of Renault India MD Sumit Sawhney of the plans of exports to Sri Lanka, the first consignment of Kwid has been exported last month. The Kwid units are expected to reach shores of the island nation by the middle of this month.
Renault has appointed Associated Motorways Private Limited (AMW) as its local partner, reports Rushlane. Renault plans to open five sales and five service outlets in the country next year. Till then, AMW's facility at Gangarama in Colombo will sell the Renault cars.
The Kwid for Sri Lanka is identical to the one sold in India. The Kwid is powered by a 799cc three-cylinder petrol motor, which is tuned to churn out 53bhp at 5,678rpm and a peak torque of 72Nm at 4,386rpm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It also boasts fuel efficiency of 25.17kmpl.
Renault has elaborate plans export Kwid from India. While the small car will be assembled in Brazil as CKDs from India, neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan will import the Kwid as CBUs.
