Renault Chief Operating Officer (COO) Carlos Tavares has affirmed that the company would direct its energy and resources towards offering more customer centric products in the Indian auto market. Buoyed by the incredible success of its Duster model, Renault India looking at expanding its present product portfolio up to eight models, from the current five cars. The company has confirmed that it is working towards sustaining the momentum provided by its Duster and would introduce new models.
Expressing his views on company's plans for the Indian auto market, Tavares was quoted as saying, “We don’t need a bunch of cars in our portfolio which will only fragment the energy and financial resources of the company. We want to be focused on a core model strategy of just 7-8 cars and ensure that each of them is appealing and competitive within its segment.”
The Renault COO believes that having excess models is “a waste of energy and resources” and the company should stay focused towards enhancing its presence in the domestic auto sector. Tavares has affirmed that Renault needs a car that could stir its direct competition. Besides bringing in new models, the French auto maker is creating a world class sales and after-sales service network across the Indian turf.
Following the glorious success of its Duster compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), Renault India Private Limited is hoping to sustain the momentum with its upcoming cars. With its Duster, the French auto major had a first mover advantage in the Indian auto market. However, the company would face its real test when it enters already well established segments of passenger cars in the country. Top companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors have done well in the entry level small car segment, which is reported to be the one targeted by Renault.
The French auto maker sells around 6,000 units a month of its Duster model in India. The impressive sales numbers played a major role in making India Renault's eleventh largest market globally. Therefore, the company is working profusely to improve its footing in Indian auto market by introducing more successful customer centric cars. Speaking on Renault's impressive presence in the market, Tavares said, “My major concern about India is that we will be enjoying our success a little too much. In sports, it is not enough to win just one championship but also the second,” and further added, “All this is fine but what next? We do not have to grow by two points every year but how do we extend this good work in India for the next ten years? I think that is the question we need to ask ourselves.”
