[andromeda]

Originally Posted by figo_mba

I thought it might be a difficult thing to sell rebadged vehicles in India but I think hearing my friend speak about buying the Skoda Rapide as it would be a VFM variant with "snob" value I think it is time to correct/change my opinion. Yes Skoda is considered by many of us as a upmarket logo where as in Europe things are not quite so where Skoda is an inferior brand (compared to VW).

+1 to that.
Rebadging is difficult in India specifically for Renault. The prospective buyer of this car (< 10L) can associate Renault with pretty much ONLY the Logan (Airport Taxi). Renault hardly has a wafer thin dealer network and Fluence/Koleos are hardly (can we say never?) seen on the roads. Now Renault plans to sell him/her the same hatchback as the Micra and that too at a premium to Micra ? Your guess is as good as mine.

Since Renault-Nissan share the same manufacturing plant, it would have made more sense if they sold it as Nissan Micra in Renault dealerships too. That way they could project the combined # of dealers/service centers during their sales.

[RavenAvi]

Boot space in the Pulse, pic courtesy Motoroids -

[RavenAvi]

Renault will offer a RenaultSport kit for the Pulse at the dealer level, comprising of:

• Body Kit
• Decals
• RenaultSport badges
• Special alloy wheels

Prices and variants will be announced at the Auto Expo, 2012.









(Images courtesy Motorbeam)

RenaultSport kit for Pulse likely to be offered at dealers

[designersf]

I don’t think this is much different from what Aston Martin did with the Toyota IQ. They created the Cygnet by changing the bumpers, lights and some bits here and there. What’s more, they sell it at 4-5 times the price of the IQ!

When Aston Martin can afford to do this, why not Renault or Skoda (with the Rapid)?

[anekho]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

Renault will offer a RenaultSport kit for the Pulse at the dealer level, comprising of

Body decals aside, the Pulse looks great in this monicker! Looks a lot more manly than the Micra.

[DRC]

I wonder about the quantity of grey matter in Renault's head.

Both the brands do not have any edge over each other. Same level of service network. exactly same car! It is very unlikely Pulse is going to generate new interest and carve out a new market share. Now they can not price this any different from Micra. Even if there is a Rs1000 difference, cheaper one is going to sell (of course in same low numbers). If they are priced exactly the same, then split share is going to ruin both.

[Skyline GT-R]

I don't understand this strategy when both brands have negligible pull in the targeted market.

The Micra (Nissan, i believe is the better known brand) itself is not selling great numbers & how can Pulse (Renault brand is still not very attractive for mid segment customers who may have noticed Logan being taken over by Mahindra) create any stir unless priced very very competently?

[diesel_power]

The Pulse is exactly same as the Micra in dimensions. Even the interiors are exactly the same. Once you get inside the Pulse, it'll be really difficult to make out if you are in Pulse or the Micra.

The only difference is the front grill and headlamps, which look inspired by the Hyundai's fludic design styling.

[RSR]

The Pulse, may sound like existing wine (Micra) in a different bottle (Renault), but it is a brilliant business strategy on the part of Renault India.

The Renault-Nissan alliance already manufacture the car in a large quantity - for export to Europe and for sale in India as the Nissan Micra. Making more numbers of the same car (with small differences) and selling it as the Renault Pulse only adds to the economies of scale for both Renault and Nissan and saves Renault the hassle of tooling up for a different small car. Badge engineering is a common phenomenon in mature markets like Europe and Japan and there is no reason why it shouldn't be done in India.

The Pulse also looks sharper and fresher than the Micra. It looks like a sportier version of the Micra in the normal variants, while the sporty concept looks hot.

The Pulse also explains why Nissan sells only two variants of the Micra diesel - no true top variant with ABS and passenger airbag, no base variant either. The Renault-Nissan alliance probably want most sales of the diesel to come from the Pulse (as the K9K is a Renault engine) and most sales of the petrol to come from the Micra (as the HR12DE is a Nissan engine).

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

Renault will offer a RenaultSport kit for the Pulse at the dealer level, comprising of:

• Body Kit
• Decals
• RenaultSport badges
• Special alloy wheels

I seriously hope they provide a limited edition 90 PS version with the above kit too! None of the manufacturers want to give us a powerful Diesel hatch at all ! This car definitely had the style factor to it !

[rock*]

Originally Posted by RSR

The Pulse, may sound like existing wine (Micra) in a different bottle (Renault), but it is a brilliant business strategy on the part of Renault India.

The Renault-Nissan alliance already manufacture the car in a large quantity - for export to Europe and for sale in India as the Nissan Micra. Making more numbers of the same car (with small differences) and selling it as the Renault Pulse only adds to the economies of scale for both Renault and Nissan and saves Renault the hassle of tooling up for a different small car. Badge engineering is a common phenomenon in mature markets like Europe and Japan and there is no reason why it shouldn't be done in India.

The Pulse also looks sharper and fresher than the Micra. It looks like a sportier version of the Micra in the normal variants, while the sporty concept looks hot.

The Pulse also explains why Nissan sells only two variants of the Micra diesel - no true top variant with ABS and passenger airbag, no base variant either. The Renault-Nissan alliance probably want most sales of the diesel to come from the Pulse (as the K9K is a Renault engine) and most sales of the petrol to come from the Micra (as the HR12DE is a Nissan engine).

This makes sense on renault`s strategy. Hope they bring out a powerful diesel mill in a good package with sensible pricing...

[Dicky_GT]

Saw the Pulse at the Auto Expo and it sure looks much better than the micra in person, also the sporty kit offered by Renault works nice with the car, the yellow paint job and those good looking mags.
Just out of curiosity did anyone notice the Pulse kept at the expo was on a 17" rim.

[mTorque]

Originally Posted by RSR

The Pulse also explains why Nissan sells only two variants of the Micra diesel - no true top variant with ABS and passenger airbag, no base variant either. The Renault-Nissan alliance probably want most sales of the diesel to come from the Pulse (as the K9K is a Renault engine) and most sales of the petrol to come from the Micra (as the HR12DE is a Nissan engine).

That was very good insight! I have always wondered why Micra diesel is sold only in XV(top model) and XV Premium variants, whereas the petrol has two or three more lower variants.

[CRtorquefan]

Autocar India have posted Test Drive review of Renault Pulse 1.5 dCi(Diesel) RxZ on their homepage.
Renault Pulse review, test drive - Review - Autocar India

Seems interesting option to already Over-crowded Diesel hatchback segment, if its priced sensibly & equipped differentialy as against Nissan Micra.

[Irish]

Renault is expected to launch the Pulse on 6th January at the Auto Expo 2012.


Cheers!
Irish