The French car maker Renault has decided not to re-launch its popular mid-size sedan – Logan – in the Indian market when it will roll-out its new portfolio cars in India, middle of this year. It is to be mentioned here that Renault’s licensing agreement with leading Indian auto maker Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) would come to an end in next 3-4 months. With the end of this agreement, the Logan model will no longer carry Renault brand, logo and even the name Logan.
According to a recent statement given by Mr. Jerome Stoll, Executive Vice-President, Renault SA, “Logan would not be a part of our product portfolio in India. We do not plan to bring the car here again.”
The Logan model will then be manufactured and sold by Mahindra on it own. Even after going through this re-branding exercise, Logan will continue to sport Renault’s engines and transmissions. Mahindra and Renault had parted their ways in April 2010 after selling more than 45,000 units of Logan as a joint venture vehicle in India.
Renault India, which has no presence in the Indian passenger car market, is all set to launch some of its most popular global portfolio vehicles in the Indian market over the period of next few years. Initially, the company will launch its premium sedan Fluence in the country in May 2011. It will be followed by luxury SUV Koleos in Oct 2011.
