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.

Source :- The Times Of India, Mumbai

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.

    

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.

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

“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“

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/

Renault’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

This is what Mahindra-Customisation Says:-

About the Concept:

The all new Customized Logan enhances the sporty & vibrant expression of your wide bodied car – The Mahindra Logan

Available in five color combinations – Pearl Orange – Bright Red – Sporty White – Leaf Green – Electric Blue with the distinctive Black in gloss finish & matt combination.

The recipe includes the cutting edge technology, design & luxurious amenities tailor made to definitely excite your taste buds. And you have a car that makes heads turn with its exclusive character. Meant to bring exhilaration to the roads.

Kindly note the detailed menu of the Customized Logan:

Exteriors:

• Front grill add-on in glossy black

• Front bumper center bezel in charcoal grey

• Front bumper corner air dams LH & RH in body color

• Side running board spoilers LH & RH in body color

• Rear spoiler in body color

• Rear bumper center bezel in charcoal grey

• Rear bumper corner air dams LH & RH in body color

• Custom painting of body shell