Renault launches Duster in Rs 7.2-11.3 lakh range

Available in petrol & diesel, the SUV will compete with M&M's Scorpio and Tata's Safari

French automaker Renault today launched a mid-sized sports utility vehicle (SUV) 'Duster' at an introductory price, ranging between Rs 7.19 lakh and Rs 11.29 lakh (ex showroom Delhi), as it looks to increase volume in the Indian market.

The vehicle will be available in both petrol and diesel options. The petrol version will be powered by a 1.6 litre engine and is priced between Rs 7.19 lakh and Rs 8.19 lakh.

The diesel option will be powered by a 1.5 litre engine at price ranging between Rs 7.99 lakh and Rs 11.29 lakh.

"This year, we are looking to sell a total number of vehicles which is twenty times more what we sold last year. Duster is one of the five products that we have announced to launch in India," Renault India Managing Director Marc Nassif told reporters here.

The company had sold 1,500 vehicles last year.

Nassif, however, declined to comment on the sales volume of the Duster but said about 3,500-4,000 bookings have already been made.

With Duster the company has attained 60 per cent of localisation and plans to increase it to 80 per cent in the next twelve months, he said.

Duster will compete with the likes of Mahindra & Mahindra's Scorpio and Tata's Safari.

Asked about the export plans Nassif said the Duster would be exported to UK from Chennai plant by the end of the year.

"Our Chennai plant will be the only Renault facility in the world which will supply the Duster to all the right hand drive markets in the world," he said.

Asked if the company has cut down the production due to market slowdown, he replied in negative and said, "Production is going as planned".