[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

I would therefore hazard the statement that a top spec duster with all safety stuff, diesel power, higher bhp engine, 4x4 etc is worth 12 to 13 on road blr, given the current pricing climate.

What is the latest pricing guesstimate on the bare bones dCi85 model? Few pages back, Nishant had mentioned a breakthrough pricing strategy starting at ex-showroom 8 lakhs!

I personally don't need anything apart from a reliable diesel engine, PS, AC and ABS.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

What is the latest pricing guesstimate on the bare bones dCi85 model? Few pages back, Nishant had mentioned a breakthrough pricing strategy starting at ex-showroom 8 lakhs!

I personally don't need anything apart from a reliable diesel engine, PS, AC and ABS.

Might very well be true at 8 plus taxes etc to reach about 9?
An expectation of 8 On road blr is a little unrealistic.

[itwasntme]

Yup, ex-showroom 8/8.25L would be ideal for a non-ABS/airbags version similar to the Scorpio LX and the Safari LX.

The problem is that the Renault Marketing team will have carefully studied the Scorpio pricing and robust sales figures, and could decide to add the 'Renault' + 'new car' premium to it. That would put it easily at 9L ex-showroom.

They must be deeply worried about the 80k diesel cess as well.

Also, Tata's may want to cash in with a huge price cut on the Safari LX to quickly convert all those who always wanted a 'budget' Safari but could never afford one. If they have any sense, I expect them to trim some stuff from the LX (even detune engine to 120bhp) and cut the price to around 7.25L ex-showroom.

[Animesh]

My enthusiasm about Renault Duster is fizzing out with all these talks about the vehicle being priced 10+ Lacs. I am not going to pay anything more than 9 OTR here in Mumbai and now have to think of alternatives.

I shall however wait for the actual product launch before making any decision final.

Did you notice my signature? It won't stay there for long now.

[smartindboy]

Originally Posted by Animesh

My enthusiasm about Renault Duster is fizzing out with all these talks about the vehicle being priced 10+ Lacs. I am not going to pay anything more than 9 OTR here in Mumbai and now have to think of alternatives.

I shall however wait for the actual product launch before making any decision final.

Did you notice my signature? It won't stay there for long now.

Yes, agree with you. Initial euphoria is going to die down when the price is revealed. Ford Fiesta story going to repeat again.

I am eagerly waiting for the pricing, and if they price is north of 8L, then my money is going to Skoda Rapid.

[raul]

Shankar, I agree with you. I have been tracking the Duster for more than a year now I think. I would overlook the interiors and other shortcomings. But for someone who is perhaps depending on a test drive without that background perspective, the interiors will not be pleasing at lets say 12-13 lakhs but lower one maybe willing to overlook.

You have Yeti which itself is overpriced but sit in a Yeti as its as good as any car in that price range in terms of interiors and features and specs, the Duster is a different breed so the more I look at it the more I feel the pricing has to be spot on to work for volumes which Renault would want from the Duster.

Thar didn't really work and the Scorpio and the Duster buyer I think will be different. There will be an overlap but the Duster will appeal to a broader audience.

[BUXX]

Oh they are just plain titillating now ..
Renault have again changed the picture on the Duster link !!

Renault - DUSTER

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by raul

Shankar, I agree with you. I have been tracking the Duster for more than a year now I think. I would overlook the interiors and other shortcomings. But for someone who is perhaps depending on a test drive without that background perspective, the interiors will not be pleasing at lets say 12-13 lakhs but lower one maybe willing to overlook.

You have Yeti which itself is overpriced but sit in a Yeti as its as good as any car in that price range in terms of interiors and features and specs, the Duster is a different breed so the more I look at it the more I feel the pricing has to be spot on to work for volumes which Renault would want from the Duster.

Thar didn't really work and the Scorpio and the Duster buyer I think will be different. There will be an overlap but the Duster will appeal to a broader audience.

Incidentally I also, like you, used to think the Yeti was overpriced but after buying one, I have completely changed that thought. Just do a comparo of the same spec Yeti in the UK, Europe and Australia and you will see that it is very fairly priced in India. Part of the perception that it is expensive is on account of its smaller compact dimensions because here we tend to go by size, consciously or sub consciously. But for its type, it is an excellently clever little beast. Do a feature comparo of the Yeti vs even a Captiva or X Trail and you will see what I mean.

Yes the Duster is a different animal and needs to be priced well to succeed. But think on it, their Fluence itself, specifically the cheaper Advantage edition which has the 1.5DCi engine which develops 110 bhp, is at 11.99 lacs ex showroom. Do you really think they can get a top spec 4wd Duster with similar engine specs at any less?

[BUXX]

^ actually yes, I would say.
Renault have never marketed Fluence as a VFM product and frankly the French would have gasped in agony if there was a built-to-a-cost-tag associated with any of their products.

While Dacia designed & built the Duster with exactly that thought.

[mohandasnikhil]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

But think on it, their Fluence itself, specifically the cheaper Advantage edition which has the 1.5DCi engine which develops 110 bhp, is at 11.99 lacs ex showroom.

The Fluence Advantage Edition doesn't have the upgraded 110bhp engine. It is basically the old E2 model (106bhp) stock without the engine upgrade being sold as a different edition.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by mohandasnikhil

The Fluence Advantage Edition doesn't have the upgraded 110bhp engine. It is basically the old E2 model (106bhp) stock without the engine upgrade being sold as a different edition.

Even more reason then, why it will be a challenge to plug the Duster at a lower price!

[mohandasnikhil]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Even more reason then, why it will be a challenge to plug the Duster at a lower price!

Well the Duster will definitely be positioned below the Fluence when it comes to pricing even though they are cars from different segments. I'm pretty convinced the Base Diesel will go at around 8.99 ex showroom.

[hubolt]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Incidentally I also, like you, used to think the Yeti was overpriced but after buying one, I have completely changed that thought. Just do a comparo of the same spec Yeti in the UK, Europe and Australia and you will see that it is very fairly priced in India. Part of the perception that it is expensive is on account of its smaller compact dimensions because here we tend to go by size, consciously or sub consciously. But for its type, it is an excellently clever little beast. Do a feature comparo of the Yeti vs even a Captiva or X Trail and you will see what I mean.

Yes the Duster is a different animal and needs to be priced well to succeed. But think on it, their Fluence itself, specifically the cheaper Advantage edition which has the 1.5DCi engine which develops 110 bhp, is at 11.99 lacs ex showroom. Do you really think they can get a top spec 4wd Duster with similar engine specs at any less?

With due respect to individual experiences and opinions , the Yeti may be VFM for a few , but look at the monthly numbers Vs some successful models like XUV500, Fortuner, Scorpio, Ertiga , Swift vis-a-vis the Aria, Yeti , Koleos, Pulse, Fluence.

I think Renault has enough examples to know the consequences based on it's pricing actions.

[ashwin489]

Originally Posted by hubolt

the Yeti may be VFM for a few , but look at the monthly numbers Vs some successful models like XUV500

A car being VFM has nothing to do with sales figures or popular opinion. Labeling a car as "not VFM" based on its success or lack of it is silly.

[hubolt]

Originally Posted by ashwin489

A car being VFM has nothing to do with sales figures or popular opinion. Labeling a car as "not VFM" based on its success or lack of it is silly.

It may seem silly to you, but not to the majority of buyers out there.

There may be exceptions but the general trend is so. See the monthly sales figure for the models mentioned.

I think ignoring this aspect just for those exceptional cases distorts one's perception of the market in general.

The pricing has to be what the customer will generally pay or else...