Renault to reveal first 'Initiale Paris' production model at the Paris Auto Show

In 2012, Renault made an announcement over its plans of bringing a new family of premium cars.

Named as 'Initiale Paris,' the idea was proposed by the manufacturer’s former Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares, who now heads the PSA Peugeot Citroen. Planned on the footmarks of Citroen’s DS brand and Ford’s Vignale line, Tavares held plans to make Initiale Paris, a sub-brand to Renault. And with Initiale Paris, the French carmaker aimed at luring the affluent buyers, who are looking for a premium car with a lighter price tag.

Just a year after the announcement, we got the first glimpse of the Initiale Paris in the form of the Renault Initiale Paris concept car. Now according to a new report from the Automotive News, the first car of the Initiale Paris family, is all set to make its global debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

The last year showcased Initiale Paris concept car was more-or-less a premium trim of the Renault’s next Espace MPV. The french carmaker has already announced that its first Initiale Paris-badged products will hit the showrooms by 2015.

Just like Citroen's DS brand, Initiale Paris will also be a premium variant level for the standard Renault models and won't hold a standalone branding. Earlier, this strategy was also used by the American carmaker- Ford in Europe with the Vignale luxury line-up.

Dominique Thormann, Renault’s Chief Financial Officer, said, “Tavares’ plan will be continued and said that the French carmaker plans to reveal an Initiale Paris model at the Paris Auto Show in October.”

“We’ve been rebuilding a more premium feel in a certain number of limited vehicles, approaching it on technologies and in segments that we control and can understand. You’ll get a good example of that in the Paris show in October," he added.

Renault is also planning to launch to add two new members in the premium offerings. Along with these luxury models, the manufacturer will also bring a C-segment and a D-segment car. After its arrival, these offerings will compete against Citroen’s DS lineup and also against Ford’s upcoming 'Vignale' premium range.

Source : CarDekho