Renault India to expand export markets

The Dollar Business Bureau

Renault India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of French auto maker Renault SA, is planning to increase its exports from India to other countries. The company is looking to make this country into a manufacturing hub for exporting its cars to Asian and African countries.

The company has started shipping its car models - Duster and Kwid to Sri Lanka in July. It will be entering Nepal this month and also preparing to enter Bhutan soon, said Sumit Sawhney, Country Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Renault India Operations.

Other than these neighbouring countries of India, Renault is looking to tap the African markets as well. The company is working on a strategy for exporting cars to South Africa, which may get finalised very soon. It is also looking at exporting to other African countries, he said.

Renault's small car Kwid will be manufactured and sold in Brazil. The company will be shipping certain sets of auto components to the South American country from India, he added.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the company has exported around 441 cars during the April-June quarter of this financial year, when compared to 56 vehicles shipped in the corresponding quarter previous fiscal.

With the increase in demand for Kwid in the country and export markets, the company has improved the production of this small car. It has started third shift in its manufacturing plant in Chennai and is currently producing more than 9,000-9,500 units of Kwid in this plant, Sawhney said.

Renault India's overall sales have grown 195% at 73,863 cars in the first half of this calendar year when compared to 25,032 vehicles during the same period last year.