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Renault has completely recast its plans for India as part of a new, aggressive approach that will see it producing cars in its Chennai plant by 2011.
“It is important for us to speed up our activities in India because we do not have the luxury of time now. I know a step-by-step approach is always seen as being sensible but it is equally important not to stop. There is also no question of abandoning the Indian project,” Mr Marc Nassif, Country General Manager, Renault in India, told Business Line.
According to him, the company has a clear roadmap for the future and is here for the long haul. “We have small cars, sedans and sport-utility vehicles. It is up to us to rebuild all over again after checking out which model could be the best bet for India. Issues of economic viability and volumes will be part of this exercise,” he said.
Mr Nassif is also Deputy Managing Director of Renault Nissan Automotive and Executive Director of Renault India.
The Chennai facility is a joint venture of Renault and Nissan with the latter scheduled to roll out its first compact hatchback next year, followed by a notchback in 2011. Renault had frozen investments for its assembly line but is now considering the possibility of using the Nissan base instead.
“We can take a Renault car on the Nissan platform in Chennai and this is an option that could be actively considered. This is a Renault-Nissan facility and a whole lot of things could happen. It is a great manufacturing system,” he said.
In some global facilities such as Brazil and Mexico, there are huge synergies between the two companies in platform sharing and this could be replicated in Chennai too.
Renault discovered that roominess was not really considered a value in the Indian context because people were not ready to pay for it. “We are re-reading the Logan story, the evolution of the market and what our renewed strategy should be. The key is to build the Renault brand in India because there is a lot of work ahead,” Mr Nassif said.
For the moment, the company’s brand recall is limited to the Mahindra-Renault joint venture which manufactures the Logan at the Nashik plant. “We still have no idea how durable this is from the viewpoint of Renault alone. We must rebuild the brand in terms of new cars, values etc,” he added.
Renault is also confident that if it does have a “good idea of a car on the Logan platform”, it could be used in Nashik to fill up capacity which is still underused. However, the criterion is for the numbers to add up in terms of economic viability.
“This is particularly important after the Logan experience and in view of the fact that we are in the midst of a global slowdown. There is no point throwing good cash all around. We have the flexibility within the plant but the choice of car is critical,” Mr Nassif said.
Renault and Nissan also have a joint venture with Bajaj Auto for an ultra-low cost (ULC) car that is scheduled to debut in 2011 at a base price tag of Rs 1.5 lakh.
“Renault is committed to the project and wants it to become a reality. We are still working on the concept and have not reached a stage of complete maturity yet. We have some ideas on the ULC and need to see if these are viable and sustainable,” he said.
Source - The Hindu
New Edition of the Logan Edge, The Logan Edge Connect has been launched today here in Mumbai by Mahindra-Renault. Actor Kunal Kapoor, Logan’s Brand Ambassador, did the unveiling.
Mahindra & Mahindra General Manager Gaurav Saxena said, “Logan Edge Connect is an extension of Logan Edge brand and its new features are developed on the basis on evolving customer needs.”
The Logan Edge Connect will have 4 Models ranging from Rs 5,45,928 to Rs 7,40,628 ex-showroom. This takes Logan’s variant tally to 13.
The Logan Edge Connect will have :-
- Leather Upholstery
- High End Audio (Music) System
- Integrated Mobile Handsfree system via Connect
- Advanced Driver Information System (DIS)
- Reverse Parking Sensors/Assist.
and much more…
The Pictures above are Exclusively available at CLUBLOGAN.com as of now.
More Discussion about the Logan Edge Connect at the Club Logan Forum - http://ClubLogan.com/forum
 After
freezing production plans at its upcoming Chennai plant due to economic
slowdown, French carmaker Renault has decided to use its partnership
with Mahindra to roll out Sandero hatchback in India in 2010. The plan
will also help the companies use excess capacity at their Nashik plant.
Sandero will be built
on the Logan platform and will be the first product for both companies
in the high-volume compact car segment. The car will come in both
petrol and diesel versions and sources said the engines would fall in
line with the small car definition of the government– petrol engine
below 1,200cc and diesel below 1,500cc with overall length below 4
meters– to avail lower excise duty
An
official for Renault refused to confirm the company’s Sandero move.
Pawan Goenka, head of Mahindra’s automotive division, said he was not
in a position to make any immediate comment on the matter. “Nothing has
been decided as yet. Talks are at a preliminary stage,” he said.
The
Sandero appears to fit perfectly in the scheme of things of both
companies in the  current market situation. For Renault, it gives an
opportunity to enter the high potential small car market without any
fresh investment on their part. And for Mahindra, it marks an entry
into the small car market, something the company has so far avoided as
it focused only on the utility vehicle and SUV category.
The
Sandero makes the task easier for the companies as it shares a number
of parts with the Logan, making the sourcing of components
cost effective. The car will be distributed from Mahindra’s existing
network that also sells the Logan. Currently, 140 dealerships sell the
Logan and the number is likely to be strengthened by 40 more points by
this year-end.
Mahindra and Renault had decided to join forces
in February 2005, initially to produce and commercialize the Logan in
India. They formed a 51:49 partnership and lined up an investment of
about Rs 700 crores for the Nashik production facility.
Renault
has said it will re-start its independent product plans from Chennai
when it gets better visibility about the overall financial situation.
 
Source :- The Times Of India, Mumbai
A new version of the Mahindra Renault Logan Edge is going to be launched. It’ll be called Logan Edge Connect and will be launched on 19th February.
Logan Edge Connect is a Special Edition Version of 150 Cars more
loaded than before.This one comes with Bluetooth Device and much more…
Keep looking at this space for more Exclusive updates soon!
UPDATE :- Launch Postponed by atleast by a week.
 Alright Guys, Here are some EXCLUSIVE Official pictures of the Logan Mileage Run done by overdrive some time ago. The Mileage they acheived was an Awesome 35.72 KMPL
For the Record :-
2248.23km
The distance that the Mahindra-Renault Logan covered on a tankful of fuel.
62.949 litres
Total volume of fuel consumed during the Mega Mileage Run.
58 hours 44 minutes
Total time that the car ran on a tankful of diesel, in the process covering over 2248km.
35.72kmpl
The fuel efficiency achieved by the Mahindra-Renault Logan 1.5 dCi on the high speed track at the NCAT.
According to the findings of the 2008 four-wheeler total customer satisfaction study released on 31st December, 2008 by leading market information provider, TNS, the diesel car segments have shown a remarkable improvement in delivering customer satisfaction. The Indian car market is dominated by small and relatively low priced petrol cars, which have traditionally delivered a high level of satisfaction. In 2008, the scores of small car segments
have remained largely unchanged, but there is a clear improvement in the scores of diesel car segments, Premium Midsize, Entry Luxury Cars and Premium SUV’s
Rankings for the TCS study are done at the vehicle segment-level to provide comparisons among similar groups of vehicles. The models ranking highest in their respective segments for total customer satisfaction are: Maruti Alto in Entry Compact; Hyundai i10 and Wagon R (Jointly) in Premium Compact; Hyundai Getz Petrol in Upper Premium Compact, Maruti Swift Diesel in Small Car - Diesel; Wagon R Duo in Small Car - Alternate Fuel; Mahindra Renault Logan in Entry Midsize; Honda City in Midsize; Skoda Octavia Petrol in Premium Midsize; Chevrolet Optra Magnum Diesel in Midsize Car - Diesel Toyota Camry in Entry Luxury; Toyota Innova in SUV/ MPV; and Honda CRV in Premium SUV.
Overall the industry score has gone up by one point over last year. Most of the manufacturers have maintained their last year’s level. However Mahindra has improved its score by 6 points and Toyota by 4 points.Among small cars the new entrant Hyundai i10 scores well on Performance and Design, Quality and Brand Image, whereas Wagon R scores well and improves upon Maruti’s strength of low cost of ownership.
Overall the Indian car industry has put up a brave performance in terms of satisfying customers with their products and services in a year which otherwise saw the mightiest crashing globally. The 2008 four-wheeler Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) study conducted by TNS specialist division, TNS Automotive, is the largest syndicated automotive study in India, representing the responses of more than seven thousand nine hundred new car buyers. This comprehensive study covers over 45 models with customer evaluations taken in the key areas of sales satisfaction, product quality, vehicle performance and design, after sales service, brand image, and cost-of-ownership. The TCS index score provides a measure of satisfaction and loyalty a given model enjoys with its customer.
Mahindra Renault announces a discount of Rs. 60,000 on its Logan Sedan about a day after Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor decided
to cut vehicle prices in the wake of a reduction in taxes.
Nalin Mehta, CEO, Mahindra Renault, said, “We
are offering a uniform discount of Rs 60,000 on the car from tomorrow,
which is a mix of direct cash discount from us and the benefit arising
out of the Cenvat rate cut.” The government on Sunday announced a 4-per
cent cut in the central value-added tax (Cenvat).
The price cut will be across all the nine variants of the Logan and will come into effect from Wednesday.
The base variant of the car, 1.4 GL (petrol), which is currently
priced at Rs 4.72 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai), will now be available at
Rs 4.12 lakh. Similarly, the base variant of the car, 1.5 DLE, will be
priced at Rs 5.15 lakh as against its current price of Rs 5.75 lakh.
Customers can also avail themselves of a bonus of Rs 10,000 under an
exchange offer, which will be in addition to the Rs 60,000 cash
discount.
The Price of the base variant of the Logan (GL) at close to Rs 4 lakh.
The discount rates on the Logan sedan will be till December 27, the
company said. Of late, car sales have received a battering due to the
ongoing slump in the industry, largely triggered by lack of adequate
finances.
Maruti Suzuki had cut prices in the range of Rs 6,500-23,000 on its
models except on the Vitara sports utility vehicle. Korean car major
Hyundai too had slashed car prices on models ranging from Santro to
Sonata by Rs 8,000-Rs 44,000.
The price-cut makes the Logan all the more attractive to Indian Buyers with its amazing Fuel Efficiency and Low ownership costs.
Discuss this at the Forum:-
Logan Cheaper by 60000 - Discussion at the Forum
-ClubLogan.com
Source : Business Standard
Mahindra & Mahindra
(M&M) is gearing up for a big push in the passenger car market with Renault.
The homegrown auto major has made a proposal to the French company for joint
badging and distribution of new cars that roll out from the Chennai factory, in
a bid to expand relationship with Renault beyond the no-frills sedan Logan. The
Chennai facility is scheduled to start production from 2010.
The
joint initiative can increase M&M’s offerings and stake in the fast-growing
domestic car market, while providing the Carlos Ghosn-led auto major a strong
partner for next phase of growth in India.
“We are working on how to
take the relationship forward. The attempt is to see whether Mahindra’s joint
venture with Renault could be the distribution channel for all of Renault
products in India… We are talking to Renault very seriously right now,” Pawan
Goenka, president of Mahindra’s automotive business, told TOI. A distribution
agreement is also expected to lead to joint badging, cars sporting both Renault
and Mahindra brand names.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Renault
confirmed the development. “We are having discussions with the Mahindra group
and these could further enhance our existing relationship. While our current
tie-up is for production and distribution of Logan, we are looking at expanding
the scope to include distribution of Renault cars through Mahindra-Renault joint
venture,” he said, adding that joint badging was the “stated intention” in the
discussions andMahindras brought in a good distribution reach for the company.
While M&M is a leading utility vehicle player with Scorpio, it
has decided not to get into the highly-competitive passenger car business on its
own. It entered the segment with Logan. And if Renault extends this to more
products, Mahindra could be a serious player in this area.
The French
company plans to roll out four new cars from its Chennai factory, including
small and big ones. It has plans to create a capacity of 200,000 units for
Renault cars, while a similar amount will be produced by group company Nissan,
which has tied up with Hover Automotive India for marketing, sales, after-sales
service and dealer develoment.
After initially being part of Renault
and Nissan’s Chennai car plant, M&M had earlier this year decided to part
ways. Asked what the reasons behind the move were, Goenka said there were no
differences between the three companies.
“We did not have a joint
venture that we walked out of. We did not sign a joint venture. Clearly, if we
walked out in disagreement, we would not talk today of joint distribution.
So, it was a mutually-agreed deal that we will not be part of
production.”
Goenka said a final decision on the discussions would
not be far. “It should happen soon. Maybe, a couple of months and not a year.
Remember, the products are coming out from mid-2010.”
Source : The Tmes of India, “M&M pans a Drive in the Fast Lane“
Car maker Mahindra Renault on Wednesday launched the limited edition of its passenger car Logan in the country, priced between Rs 5 Lakh and Rs 7.15 Lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).
 The new car, Logan Edge, would be available in both petrol and diesel variants with engine capacities in the range of 1.4 litre to 1.6 litre.
“The new Logan edge is based on extensive customer feedback and is part of our endeavor to offer our consumers the best,” Mahindra Renault Pvt Ltd Chief Operating Officer Nalin Mehta told reporters in New Delhi.
The car would come with some additional features like reverse parking censor and better fuel efficiency, he added.
What’s new in Logan Edge?
* The new Logan Edge comes with stylish body graphics and also gets a sophisticated Mystique purple shade.
* Logan Edge sports attractive features like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with electronic brake distribution system
* Logan Edge also comes with a reverse parking sensor to facilitate easy parking
* Interiors of the logan edge is also afresh with new features like beige leather seat covers, a wood-finish centre console and a high-end Kenwood music system with remote control and USB / iPod connectivity.
Models - Ex-showroom Delhi
Logan Edge 1.4 GLX petrol -Rs4,99,990
Logan Edge 1.6 GLS petrol - Rs5,58,338
Logan Edge 1.6 GLSx petrol (ABS) - Rs5,78,337
Logan Edge 1.5 DLS turbodiesel - Rs6,95,319
Logan Edge 1.5 DLSx turbodiesel (ABS) - Rs7,15,319
Source - Financial Express
http://mahindralogan.co.cc/
s solo product strategy in India soon change. The company plans a slew of launches by 2010. Carlos Ghosn may be looking for another Indian partner.
Renault India plans to introduce cars across all segments. Having acquired 2.2 % market share with just one product, the Logan, the company now wants to bring out more cars from its Chennai plant.
“We will launch 4-5 in 15-16 months one after the other. We will have a mix of all segments- big and small”, said Sylvain Bilaine, MD, Renault India.
Renault’s Sedan and Sandero could be a good fit for the Indian market. It has been successful in South Africa, Brazil, and will soon be launched in Europe. Two completely built units, or CBUs, the Twingo and Laguna, which were displayed at the Auto Expo, may also be driven in.
These new launches may be marketed through the Renault- M&M JV but a final decision is yet to be taken.
Even the marketing and branding of Renault-Nissan- Bajaj’s
small car will be decided in a couple of months. While the small car plans are moving ahead, Renault’s LCV plans are still on hold. Interestingly, Renault is open to even more partners. So, after Mahindra and Bajaj, do not be surprised if Carlos Ghosn goes looking for suitors again.
-http://Mahindralogan.co.cc
-http://clublogan.com
Source : CNBC-TV18
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