Renault launches premium SUV Koleos in India

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As part of its aim to sell one lakh vehicles in India by 2013, French car maker Renault on Thursday launched its premium sports utility vehicle 'Koleos' for Rs 22.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

India is the second market after China where the new 'Koleos' has been introduced. It will be followed by Europe this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

"India is a key strategic market. We will launch 'Koleos' in 40 countries and India is one of the firsts among these. The first country was China where the SUV was launched yesterday and now it is India," Renault India Vice-President (Marketing, Sales and Network) Len Curran told reporters here.

The SUV is the company's second vehicle in the Indian market after the premium sedan 'Fluence', which was launched in May this year. It has so far sold 700 units of 'Fluence'.

The 'Koleos' is powered by a 2.0 litre diesel engine and is available in four wheeled drive option with six speed automatic transmission.

Commenting on the market, Renault India Managing Director Marc Nassif said: "India is our top three priorities along with Brazil and Russia. We have set a target to sell a total of one lakh units in 2013."

The next model in the pipeline is a new hatchback that will be launched during the Auto Expo in January 2012. It will be specifically designed for the Indian market by its design centre in Mumbai.

The fourth car for the Indian market will be the SUV 'Duster', which will hit the roads in the second half of 2012.

The company had earlier announced to launch five vehicles in India by the end of 2012. All the cars will be assembled at Renault's Indian facility in Chennai.

Renault and its global alliance partner Nissan have committed an investment of Rs 4,500 crore by 2015 at the Chennai facility, which will have a total annual production capacity of 4 lakh units.

On the dealership front, Nassif said: "Currently we have 14 dealers and it will be increased to 40 outlets by December. By the end of 2012, we will have 100 showrooms across India."