French auto major Renault today said that the company will soon start exporting its utility vehicle 'Duster' from India to UK and to countries in Africa and Asian countries. The company also said that besides launching new products, major thrust for India will be the after market, a senior representative from Renault India said.
The automotive aftermarket is the industry that maintains, repairs and accessorises vehicles after they are sold to their owners by a car or truck dealer. The industry encompasses all products and services purchased for cars and trucks after the original sale including replacement parts, accessories, lubricants, appearance products, service repairs, and the tools and equipment necessary to make repairs.
Speaking to reporters after his special address at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII's) Autoserve 2012, which kick started in Chennai today, Marc Nassif, managing director, Renault India said that the company is expected to start exporting the vehicle to UK by end of this month and going forward the company will look at East, South Africa and other Asian countries apart from all the right-hand driven market across the globe from India. He did not commit time frame for these markets.
"We will soon start exporting Duster to the UK market on a trial basis and will spruce up exports by year-end. While the base will be the same, the vehicle will go through minor changes according to local market conditions in UK and other European markets. The product will be sold under different Dacia Duster name."
He added, the company will also cater to markets in East and South Africa, Asian region, including Malaysia and Singapore. “We will also look at all the right-hand driven markets across the globe for Duster exports. We have enough capacity for the next two years to meet both Indian and overseas markets."
It may be noted, Renault along with its global alliance partner Nissan has a manufacturing plant at Oragadam, near Chennai.
Commenting on Indian operations, Nassif said, India is on the priority map of Renault, apart from new products, one of the focus areas for brand sustainability in India is having the company's own distribution network.
In May last year the company had 14 outlets, which was raised to 75 now and by year-end it will be increased to 100. He claimed, that normally any OEMs would take atleast five years to reach the 75 mark, whereas Renault managed to do so in less than two years.
“It (aftermarket) is one of the important pillars for the company to sustain and grow the company in India. We will give more focus on aftermarket and will also ensure that our vendors, dealers too benefit with our aftermarket focus by offering our brand, quality products, service with safety in mind. We need to maintain speed as India is fast developing into a major market and with lot of challenges/competitiveness."
He added that the after service model in India can also be a good and successful model, which can be looked for other counties.
On the parts sourcing from India, Nassif said, the company currently has around 200 vendors in just 15 months of its products roll out.
“We had sourced components worth around Rs 500 crore in 2011 from India to other global markets and we hope to maintain the same amount in 2012 despite slowdown in Europe and other markets."
