According to sources close to the development, Renault SA for its SUV Duster is aiming to make India the exclusive manufacturing and export hub. Renault is anticipated to launch the low-cost SUV Duster in India by the middle of year 2012.
Choosing to remain anonymous, a source involved in the project stated that India will become the exclusive manufacturing hub for Duster’s right hand drive markets. This makes will Renault the first foreign carmaker to choose India as an export base for its SUVs, though Suzuki Motor and Hyundai have plants in India for export of their small cars.
Mr. Ashish Sinharoy, Vice-President (Communications & Corporate Affairs) at Renault India, stated that Renault is planning to launch five new car models in India by December 2012. He further added that the company will be interested in sizing up any opportunity for exporting made-in-India cars.
According to the experts, Renault wants to tap the low development and manufacturing costs in India. The involvement of Indian suppliers in the project right from the start also speaks highly of the confidence Renault has in their capabilities.
