September 2008 Archives

Mahindra Renault, a 51:49 joint venture company between tractor and utility vehicle making company Mahindra & Mahindra and French carmaker Renault, today launched the 'New Collection Logan', a new line-up of the Logan sedan.

The fully loaded Logan is now available for Rs 5.08 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) and replaces the existing Logan range in showrooms across the country.

The top-end GLSx and DLSx variants incorporate ABS with EBD. The interiors have been changed as well : a wooden centre console and end rack, velvet seat covers and side door trims and a beige dashboard make an appearance. The mid-level GLX and DLX variants' interiors feature a silver centre console and air vents and a beige and black dashboard. New seat covers and a new carpet round out the refurbishments.

The New Collection Logan comes in two new exciting colours - Java Brown and Mocha Green.

The website says, "The New Collection Logan drives in loads of refinement in comfort, style and technology. Built around the Renault's famous Space Optimization Design, it redefines space and luxury. Under its hood, you will find trailblazing technology raring to go. Advanced features like the Advanced Driver Information System (ADIS), collapsible steering wheel and fully protected rear seats, make the New Collection Logan the safest ride on road. Its twin coloured seats with diamond tweed inserts effortlessly combine comfort and style. While its robust lines, strongly marked wheel arches and carved hood makes sure your presence is underlined."

The mid-level variants also incorporate a Driver Information System earlier available only

in the top-end versions of the Logan. The system provides the driver with information like average speed, mileage, fuel consumption and distance-to-empty figures. A special 'tripmeter' also gives the driver an idea of the distance he has travelled since the car's last refueling stop.

"We are launching the new Logan, which is based on extensive customer feedback and further builds on the image and appeal of the car without compromising on its existing attributes" said Nalin Mehta, CEO, Mahindra Renault.

To coincide with the launch of the 'New Collection Logan', Mahindra Renault also announced 'Chaabi mein Gaadi', a contest which gives prospective customers the opportunity to win a Logan. Select people will receive a car key with an invitation to visit a Logan showroom and try their luck. If the key belongs to any of the New Collection cars on display, the lucky contestant gets to drive away with the car. The contest will be on from October 1 to October 31st at all Logan dealerships with a total of eight cars up for grabs.

ClubLogan.com is one of the First to report this..

      

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"