Renault India to hike prices of Duster by upto Rs 40,000

Increase in raw meterail costs, adverse impact of foreign exchange fluctuations adding up to the hike

Renault India today said it will hike price of its new sports utility vehicle Duster by up to Rs 40,000 from October 1 due to increase in raw material costs and adverse impact of foreign exchange fluctuations.

The company had launched the Duster in July with introductory price of Rs 7.19 lakh for the entry level petrol variant and Rs 7.99 lakh (Ex showroom Delhi) for diesel. "The price for Duster petrol variant will see a price increase by Rs 30,000 whereas the Duster diesel will see a prike hike by Rs 40,000," the company said in a statement.

The new prices will be effective from October 1, 2012. Duster has received 20,000 bookings since launch, it added.

The introductory price will be maintained for all the bookings made until the end of August 2012, delivered or not at the time of the price hike, the company said.

Marc Nassif, managing director, Renault India said: "Facing an increase in raw material prices and instability in foreign exchange, factors which are beyond our control, we had to increase the retail price of Renault Duster."

To meet the demand for the Duster the company has increased production to three shifts in Chennai factory as well as the outputs of vendors, he added.

Renault is the latest company which has announced price hikes due to pressure of rising input costs. Maruti Suzuki, Honda Cars India and General Motors have all announced increase in price of vehicles over the last few days.