BS reported that sensing an increasing demand for smaller cars in India, French car maker Renault is planning to introduce a V platform model within three months from now.

With complete focus on the domestic market, the plan is to roll out the small car at the Auto Expo in January 2012.

Mr Sudhir Rao deputy MD of Renault India said that "The car will be positioned between Maruti Swift and Nissan Micra."

Sources in the company say the small car is being tested at the Renault Nissan’s factory on the city’s outskirts at Oragadam, where the Renault Nissan joint venture partners are investing around INR 4,500 crore.

The proposed car’s launch would help Renault achieve its target of 100,000 units with five products by 2013. The company will launch three more cars next year to have five models on offer, including a 4x4 SUV and the Koleos to be launched this year. The annual sales is estimated to be about 100,000 units by 2013. To back this plan, it will have 100 dealerships in place by end-2012.

The joint venture, which was given a structured package of incentives by the Tamil Nadu Government for large investments in the automobile sector, is set to beat the 2015 deadline for full investments by at least two years.
Fluence, the first Renault car to be assembled in India, is to be followed by a high end sports utility vehicle this year, the Koleos, and three cars next year, including a lower cost hatchback.

(Sourced from www.business-standard.com)