The Kwid is Renault India’s most successful product, selling over 70,000 units since its launch in September a year ago, and receiving well over 150,000 orders.
Advertisement
The company, which now sells the Kwid with an 800cc engine, is looking to garner 5 per cent share in the Indian auto market by the end of this year. “We are going to start bookings of the 1-litre version this month, which will bring in incremental numbers and help us double volumes over past year”, said Sumit Sawhney, managing director at Renault India. The vehicle has proved to be game-changer for Renault in India and, since its launch in September 2015, has sold 66,058 units till June 2016. With the demand expected to go up further with the launch of the 1-litre engine soon as well as to meet export demand, the company will further ramp up production.
The new three-cylinder engine which is also developed primarily in India like rest of the Kwid’s platform will be paired with a 5-speed manual as well as an Easy-R AMT (Automated Manual Transmission). The Maruti is priced between Rs 3.25 lakh and Rs 4.15 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and we expect its Renault counterpart to also total up in the same bracket.
The strengthening of the portfolio is part of the company’s plans to increase its market share in India, he said.
Speaking to the media, Renault India CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney said, “First half of the calendar year (January to June) has been very good for us”. The new Kwid will only feature mechanical changes, with not many visual or equipment changes.
It may be recollected that in February 2016, Mauritius became the first export market for the made-in-India Renault Kwid with 37 cars being shipped to the island country. He believes that there is potential to grow to 10 per cent in the coming years in South America. Compared to the Indian version, the Kwid is largely similar save for the new alloy wheels shown on the model unveiled.
Advertisement
With the new engine under the hood, the KWID will enter a competitive territory dominated by the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, followed by the 1.0-litre Hyundai Eon. This motor is expected to produce a power of around 75PS, which will make the auto quite lively to drive, courtesy a low power to weight ratio.
