Renault is taking the Indian market very seriously. The company launched the Koleos SUV in India first before the global launch in Frankfurt. Renault will now plans to make India the exclusive manufacturing and export hub of its right-hand sport utility vehicle (SUV) Duster.
Renault plans to launch the low-cost SUV in India, Asia’s third-biggest automobile market, by the middle of 2012.
This will make Renault the first foreign carmaker to use India as an export base for SUVs. Renault plans to export Duster to the UK under the Dacia badge by the end of 2012.
Duster is likely to be introduced in a price band of 8-10 lakh to take on market leader Mahindra & Mahindra’s Scorpio. Powered by 1.5 litre dCi engine and 1.6 litre petrol engine, Duster will be available in the 4X2 and 4X4 versions. The SUV for the Indian and UK markets will be similar baring some cosmetic variations in the looks.
