Team-BHP - Should Renault launch the Captur (compact SUV) in India?

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Compact SUVs have become fairly popular in India. Renault Duster was the first compact SUV which caught attention of people and immediately post launch it became the best selling product for Renault India.

A year later, Ford created the same magic by launching EcoSport which was undoubtedly the most awaited launch of 2013. Nissan too launched Terrano which is based on Duster.

In 2015 and early 2016 , we will witness launch of more compact SUVs. Hyundai ix25, Tata Nexon and Maruti YBA are some of the most keenly awaited launch. Honda too is expected to launch a SUV based on Brio platform.

I believe one hot compact SUV which can catapult Renault India sales and set this category on fire is Captur. While there are reports that Renault is planning to launch a compact SUV based on Duster, I hope they do it based on Captur.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat (Post 3626318)

We all would say yes! I spoke to Renault and they definately said know since it would cost too much to produce in India

Why would it?

UK prices for the captur starts less than the S-Cross. And if S-Cross is almost here! I think the main reason is that Renault is enjoying the huge margins they get from selling the cheap (for the world) Duster at 12-15L prices here.

Once the competition becomes intense in the form of S-Cross, YBA, ix25 etc- Captur should soon follow suit.

Should they launch – Yes! But the sad reality is they may not bother at least for the next couple of years, or there is a drastic change in our market landscape. Until that time we will see only the likes of ‘Renault’ Duster, Lodgy etc.

From what I see, Renault will find it difficult to play the price advantage with their native models. They have a couple of good examples of failure in the Fluence and Koleos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat (Post 3626318)

We all would say yes! I spoke to Renault and they definately said know since it would cost too much to produce in India

Aila! They ain't producing cars with space-age technology for costs to be high.

IMHO, as for the sales generate by the Duster and the rest cars in their portfolio, these guys should have got enough local vendors etc with decent amount of localisation so as to keep the manufacturing costs down.

I feel the entry of S-Cross will get the captur to India after Renault sees the competition between the EcoSport and S-Cross.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 3626335)

Am only relaying to you what they told me. Issue is lack of will to localize parts

I think its a mere excuse not to invest and take the risk by bringing new models to India. If we look at the UK version of Captur, base version comes at a price of INR 13.26 lacs (Converted from pounds).

Now, this may sound to be a lot but compare this with the base version of Volkswagen Polo in UK which comes at a price of INR 11.10 lacs. In India, Polo is sold at INR 4.89 lacs. Now that's a whopping INR 6.21 lacs difference between UK and India price.

So technically there is a huge scope to cut down on the price for India version of Captur by localizing heavily.

Also, following are the features available in base version of Captur. Usually for most of the sub 10 lac cars in India, these features are available in the Top variant.

Renualt is speculating to bring a 'modified' version of Captur to rival Ford's Ecosport and Maruti's upcoming sub 4 m - YBA.
To enter the Indian market by 2018.

Quote:

The Indian version of the Captur will see some changes versus the European version that was launched in 2013. The most major part is that the length is likely to be brought down to under four metres to avail of excise duty benefits, from the current 4.1 metres,” . The engines are expected to be the 1.5 litre diesel and 1.2 litre petrol engine used across Renault and Nissan models like the Micra, Sunny, Duster and even the Fluence.

http://wap.business-standard.com/art...0300552_1.html

How many real Renault vehicles are they selling here? They will keep using rebadged Dacia, Nissan etc for the most part in the volume segments. Not sure how much really interested they are in our market.

As per Business Standard, Renault is planning to roll out Captur in 2018 to challenge Ford's EcoSport and Maruti's XA Alpha.

As per initial estimates given to auto suppliers, the company is targeting annual volumes of about 60,000 units, which translates into monthly volumes of 5,000 units. The Ford EcoSport’s monthly volumes for the fiscal are currently at about 4,400 units.

“The Indian version of the Captur will see some changes versus the European version that was launched in 2013. The most major part is that the length is likely to be brought down to under four metres to avail of excise duty benefits, from the current 4.1 metres,” a source close to the development said.

Wonder if 2018 is too late...

Renault to launch Cuv's in 2016 /17, to tap on the fast growing premium crossover/ SUV market as well apart from the existing car launches in its plan.

Reanault is likely to get the Kadjar and Captur in India in 2016 nd 2017 respectively.

Quote:

As per the plan, Renault will introducing these two SUVs and Nissan will be building up on X-Trail and Qashqai as all these vehicles fall under the same CMF-C-D platform. There isn’t just platform sharing, but even the engines on these are shared.

http://motoroctane.com/news/13327-re...2016-exclusive

Quote:

Originally Posted by damager21 (Post 3639238)

As per Business Standard, Renault is planning to roll out Captur in 2018 to challenge Ford's EcoSport and Maruti's XA Alpha.

Wonder if 2018 is too late...

rl:Are They serious?

With the way things are shaping, i wonder if Renault is still in India in 2018 or in France having shut shop and left!!!

Duster, the one trick pony is already under tremendous sustenance pressure and with the YBA and ix25 on the horizon along with the Eco Sport facelift, days are going to be a lot tougher.

@Damager,
2018 isnt late. It is very, very late.
CUV is the flavour of the season.
Make hay while the sun lasts.

2018 may have a different flavour and CUVs could have evolved by then!!

The Captur, if launched here, would eat into the sales of their own Duster. They rake huge margins with the overpriced Duster. If they bring the Captur, production costs would be higher than the Duster, so they will not be able to match the margins provided by the Duster. So, as long as Duster is selling well, I don't think they will bring the Captur.

If they launch this here, with the duster engines and making it sub 4 meters, they wont be able to keep the price below 20L, unless ofcourse they use the elcheapo interiors on this as well. They better not launch this here.

IMO, there is a space for Renault to introduce a new product on the Duster platform (to control the costs) with refined interiors and new looks (not a facelift) to get rid of fatty roundish shape.

Lookwise, it shall be more straightish and timeless design. The design shall target the effect generated by Grand Vitara / Endeavour. The interiors shall target the experience generated by Hyundai i20 or Ecosport. Aggregates like engine / transmission / suspension can be used from Duster but the parts that the user sees and handles shall be new, in order to enhance the user experience.

Such model can be positioned above the Duster and Duster can also continue with slightly reduced price.

With this, there will not be need to bring in a product like Captur.