CHENNAI: Renault marks its product offensive in India today with the launch of the Fluence in India, one of the three priority countries in Renault’s international development strategy.
This is the first stage in a five-product rollout that is scheduled through to the end of 2012 and will give Renault the youngest line-up in the Indian market.
Manufactured at the Chennai plant, Fluence is an upmarket model that will be selling through the first 14 outlets making up Renault’s new Indian network.
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| The Renault Fluence will sell in India for RM87,000. |
Renault’s Indian development initiative began in 2007 and is now picking up speed with a full-scale product offensive.
The 1.3 million rupees (RM87,000) Fluence will be followed by Koleos in October (also assembled at the Chennai plant) and three further models, including an SUV, in 2012.
With annual growth of around 20% over the last few years, the Indian market is one of the most promising in the world.
The market totalled 1.2 million vehicles in 2005 and is expected to reach 3 million by the end of 2011, then 3.7 million by 2015, making India the world’s fourth biggest auto market.
Around 60% of customers are first-time buyers, and 57% are aged under 35.
The two other markets Renault is targeting are Brazil and Russia.
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| Here's how the Fluence cabin looks like. |