Products Automobiles Headquarters Mumbai | Website www.renault.co.in Founded October 2005 | |
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CEO Sumit Sawhney (1 Feb 2014–) Founders Fernand Renault, Louis Renault, Marcel Renault Profiles | ||
Renault India Pvt Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renault S.A., France and currently offers five models in the Indian market: the premium sedan Scala, the SUV Duster, the compact MPV Lodgy, the premium compact car, Pulse and the latest budget car, Kwid. Renault India also exports the Duster to a growing number of right-hand drive markets.
Contents
- History
- Operations
- Models
- Milestones
- ICICI Bank
- Spellinc
- Tour De India
- Cricket
- Madras Caf with John Abraham
- MRF Challenge
- F1 Caterham Paint Shop
- Autocar Performance Show
- Limca Record Renault Scalas Mileage Run
- References
Renault cars are manufactured at the manufacturing facility located in Oragadam, Chennai, with a capacity of 480,000 units pa with 3 shifts per day.
History
In February 2008, Renault-Nissan Alliance signed Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Tamil Nadu to set up a manufacturing plant in Oragadam near Chennai. Work on the plant began in June later that year and was completed in a record 21 months. Renault Design India, the first vehicle design studio set up by a foreign manufacturer in India, was established in Mumbai in September 2008. The design house is integral to Renault’s success in India as one of its functions is to monitor customer trends and customise global products for India. At the end of 2015, Renault has approximately 200 dealerships across India, from only 14 in 2012.
Renault received more awards in one year than any of its market competirors. Since 2012, the Renault Duster received 29 awards in India and the Renault company 34 awards.
Operations
In September 2008, Renault India opened its fifth global vehicle design studio in Mumbai.
In March 2010, Renault India and Nissan India opened a production facility in Chennai. Established with an initial investment of Rs 45 billion (US$750 million), the plant has a combined annual capactity to produce 480,000 vehicles.
As of September 2015, Renault India has 175 dealerships in 16 cities across 9 states and 2 Union Territories, targeting 210 outlets at the end of 2015. It fastely expanded to 190 dealerships in December 2015, thanks to the Renault Kwid success. Renault has also developed an innovative approach with some virtual showrooms and some specific phone App.
Models
Renault sales commenced in May 2011 with the Fluence sedan. This was followed in September by the Koleos SUV.
In 2012 Renault launched three further models; the Pulse hatchback in January, the Duster in July 2012, and the Scala in August 2012.
In 2014, aside from the launch of the all-new Fluence and Koleos, Renault also launched the Duster Adventure Edition.
Renault launched Lodgy, its compact MPV in Delhi on 9 April 2015. Renault also unveiled its first sub Rs 4 lakh segment car Kwid SUV (earlier codenamed XBA) fully developed in India by Gérard Detourbet and his French and Indian team, from 2012. The press measured that the Kwid is the best in class on interior space, boot, mileage, and offers some features usually associate with cars in the premium segment of the Indian market, like USB, Bluetooth, music, AC, power steering, air bags, GPS navigation. The Renault Kwid is available since October 2015, near the pre-festive season (before Diwali). The Renault Kwid received a surprising amount of 50,000 bookings in the first 5 weeks, then 70,000 in 2 months, getting 10% of effective market shares in its segment.
Renault later discontinued sales of Fluence and Koleos in end-2016. The company will launch the crossover SUV Kaptur in the last quarter of 2017.
Milestones
2008
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
The Kwid, based on the CMF-A platform, measures 3,679 mm in length, 1,579 mm in width, 1,478 mm in height and 2,422 mm in wheelbase. It has a ground clearance of 180 mm and a fuel tank capacity of 28 litre.
Features seen on the top-end variant include power steering, AC, front power windows, foglights, keyless entry and central locking, a 7-inch touchscreen MediaNAV system with Bluetooth, USB, AUX-in, an optional driver airbag and some design customisations.
ICICI Bank
Renault has partnered with ICICI bank in a major marketing led cross promotional campaign that will allow the bank's database to interact with Renault and its cars.
Spellinc
Renault India' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program commenced in 2013, focussing on education and road safety. It partnered with Linc Pen & Plastics Ltd for SPELLINC. The program started in September 2013 and ran until December across 8 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmadabad, Jamshedpur and Ranchi) with a total of 1000 schools participating. The training module on road safety has been developed to be fun and interactive. It involved stage acts, singing and discussions with the students. The whole point of the operation is not only to reach students but to convert them into Road Safety ambassadors spreading the message to their schoolmates, friends and relatives.
Tour De India
Renault India supported the Tour De India 2013, a cycling event held for the first time in 2012. The organizers are also strongly committed to promoting cycling as an alternative mobility solution to reduce carbon footprint. Tour de India 2013 was held in December with 3 races involving both competitive and entertaining cycling. Renault India was the Official Automobile Partner for the event, providing cars for the lead convoy, for the cycling teams and the Tour de India fleet in charge of recording the event.
Cricket
Renault sponsored a cricket series between India and Sri Lanka and Virat Kohli won the Man of the Series Award – a Renault Duster. The Indian cricket team was taken for a victory lap around the stadium with Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the wheel of the Renault Duster. The entire cricket team was seen on the SUV while taking the victory lap.
Madras Café with John Abraham
Renault India formed a partnership with Renault Duster and John Abraham’s movie ‘Madras Café’.
MRF Challenge
Renault cars compete in the Formula 2000 category of the MRF Challenge. The 20 cars of the category are also powered by Renault Sport 2-litre engines. These 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 1998cc F4R 832 engines can produce a maximum power of 210 bhp at 6,500rpm and maximum torque of 220 Nm at 5500rpm.
F1 Caterham Paint Shop
The Renault workshop at Noida received a special assignment during the 2013 Airtel Indian Grand Prix, painting two Caterham F1® chassis before the Grand Prix. This routine procedure is usually completed in Europe but logistical challenges made it easier for it to be carried out in India instead.
Autocar Performance Show
Renault India participated in the Autocar Performance Show held at the MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. It is the third time that the Renault brand was represented in the show. This event is organized by the leading Automobile magazine Autocar and features the most powerful and expensive cars and bikes available in the country as well as accessories and performance enhancing parts.
Limca Record – Renault Scala’s Mileage Run
The Renault Scala broke the Limca record for the highest fuel economy achieved in India using a stock car by achieving a real world economy of 54.15 km/l in an un-modified Renault Scala diesel sedan. The car covered the 62.28 km distance using only 1.24 litres, achieving a fuel economy of 54.15 km/l, which is 250.26% over ARAI certified figure. The distance was covered in 76 minutes.