España: Renault Latitude.

Vía: Motorgiga.

España: Renault Latitude.

Vía: Motorgiga.

M&M and Proton plan for a Joint Venture

Talks between Indian automotive giant Mahindra & Mahindra and Malaysian auto biggie Proton have started again, concerning the entry of the latter in the Indian Market. The two companies were in talks before this, in the year 2007. However the meeting bore no fruit and was unavailing. While the news about the two having a joint venture soon, has spread like wildfire, the spokesperson from M&M refused to comment on the same. However sources confirm that there is a good chance of a joint venture between the two companies.



When looked at Proton's annual report, it clearly mentions the company's plans of trying its hands in the Chinese and the Indian auto market.It also revealed its plans on taking a step towards and focusing on regional markets with high growth in ASEAN with an aim to set up a Completely Built-Up (CBU) market and India, China and Iran to have a Completely Knock Down (CKD) market. Proton also looks at the Indian economy as a strong one since it was more adaptable and responsive to the world wide economic recession.

Mahindra on the other hand is expanding fast by exploring new markets. The company ended its JV with Renault to re-launch Logan with its own name. M&M has also taken over 50 percent stake in Reva Electric to manufacture electric cars to be launched in future. Another achievement that the company can boast of is the inception of the revamped Scorpio model in the US market, making it the first auto company to have its model on the American soil.

Source:- M&M and Proton plan for a Joint Venture - New Cars

Mahindra Logan sales increased marginally in May 2010

Mahindra Logan, the only sedan model in the Mahindra & Mahindra's India portfolio is not seems to be overcoming its dismal performance in India as the company has reported a marginal increase of 5 % in its sales during the month of May 2010, as against the same period of last year. The company has managed to sell only 450 units of this car in India during this month, as compare to 427 units sold in the month of May 2009. The dismal performance of Logan came even after announcement of Rs 80,000 discount by the company in April 2010. However, the sales figure in the month of May 2010 was considerably well as compare to the sales of April 2010, during which only 303 units of this car were sold in India.

Mahindra-Renault joint venture came to an end in April 2010, after Renault sold its stake in JV to Mahindra Group due to the issues on prising and designing of the Logan sedan. This restructuring of the deal was a result of lowering down sales of the Logan over the years. Where the Mahindra was keen on reducing the size of the sedan so that it could qualify for the small car segment and would be able to receive a excise duty cut, the Renault wanted to keep the original size of this car. According to a statement given by Mahindra's spokesman to a leading business daily, It will not be proper to compare the sales figures of May 2010 with same month of last year as the company hasn't provided a price cut in May 2009 and sales were lowering down. The comparison should be done with April this year, when a discount of 80,000 was there. Only 44,000 units of this car have been sold in India since its launch in year 2007.
Source:- Mahindra Logan sales increased marginally in May 2010 - New Cars

Renault aims high for the Indian market

Renault, a France based leading car maker, is eying on establishing itself as a major player in the Indian car market with launching a series of new vehicles in India, in coming five years. It is expected that the company will come-out with as much as 4 new car models in India across different segments. However, the Renault India has to establish its own dealership base in the Indian market as after parting ways with Mahindra & Mahindra the company hasn't left with any dealership in India. The company is aiming to establish a large dealership base of 70 dealers in the country by year 2014.

Renault Fluence, which is a luxury saloon, is among the first one to enter in India in the second quarter of next year. The Fluence model is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 12 to 13 lakh and will possibly compete with other popular cars of this range including Skoda Laura, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis. The Fluence will be followed by luxury SUV Renault Koleos, which will possibly be launched in the Indian market by the end of 2011. It is expected that the company will place this SUV in the price segment of Rs 17 to 18 lakh. Both of these models will be imported as CKD (Completely knocked Down) units in the Indian market and will be assembled at company's Oragadam plant near Chennai. Besides this, the company is also planning to launch a new car in the compact-car segment in India by year 2012. The car will be developed at a platform shared with Nissan Motors in India. With this, the company is also expected to launch its Clio model in the Indian market, which has been phased-out in the European market. However, there is no announcement from the company's side regarding the launch of this model in Indian market.
Source:- Renault aims high for the Indian market - New Cars