Renault India, the Indian arm of Renault SA has launched its fourth car model Duster sports utility vehicle (SUV) in the Indian car market at an entry level price of Rs 7,19,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi) on July 4, 2012. The new SUV is available with a 1.6 liter petrol engine or a 1.5 liter diesel engine, the top-end petrol powered variant being priced at Rs 8,19,000 and the top-end diesel powered engine being priced at Rs 11,30,000.
The new SUV will compete in the same segment with car models such as the Scorpio by Mahindra & Mahindra and the Safari by Tata Motors in addition to others by Force Motors, Toyota and General Motors. The French automaker is manufacturing the Duster in India at its Oragadam facility near Chennai and is planning to commence exports of the car model to the United Kingdom by the end of 2012.
Mr. Mark Nassif Managing Director Renault India stated that the company will be launching its fifth car model in India before the festival season of Diwali. He added that the company has set a target of selling 30,000 vehicles in the year 2012-13 against the 1,500 units sold in 2011-12.