With nearly 100 launches and unveils, the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, held in Delhi from January 17 to 22, made one thing clear to automobile enthusiasts: Electric vehicles (EVs) are the way ahead for the Indian auto market for years to come.
For the first time, the event will take place across three locations in Delhi: Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, Yashobhoomi Convention Centre at Dwarka, and India Expo Mart at Greater Noida.
"Renault will have much more products for India. There will be a full line up of products of Renault for India and we have not come to India to sell one specific car."
Of the 15 car manufacturing companies in India, eight have a market share of below 2 per cent, raising questions about their long-term future in a competitive market that has already seen Ford Motors and General Motors slam the door on India.
After a spectacular show in 2016, Kwid's sales have contracted by 20 per cent during the April-December period of FY18 to 65,572 units.
Renault waited 14 years after India's automotive sector was opened up to foreign investment to enter the country, about a decade behind General Motors, Ford and Daewoo. However, once in, Ghosn has moved quickly to sew up six ventures in India in a mere 33 months.
It is ideal for someone looking to have the practicality of a diesel and the utility of an automatic.
In terms of ride quality, the Lodgy is just brilliant.
"As per the agreement, the design, engineering, sourcing and manufacturing will be handled by Bajaj Auto while marketing and selling will be by Renault-Nissan Alliance."
The new car, which would come in four variants and two options, is priced between Rs 2.57 lakh and Rs 3.53 lakh.
The automaker said that production at the Renault Nissan Alliance Plant, where Nissan, Renault and Datsun brands are manufactured, had gone up by 15 per cent and was expected to increase further on the back of increasing export orders.
The Renault Scala boasts of a 1.5 litre HR15DE 100 PS petrol engine with 98 bhp and a 1.5 litre K9k turbo diesel engine that will put out 85 Bhp of sheer automotive power. Currently hitting the market with the five-speed manual gearboxes, the Scala is expected to go automatic in 2013
Renault and Nissan's decision to launch their own compact cars is independent of a tie-up with Pune-based motorcycle maker Bajaj Auto to develop a low-cost car that is expected to debut in 2011. A formal joint venture agreement is yet to be signed among the partners, though work on the small car is progressing at a slower pace.
While Renault reported an over 12 per cent decline in sales and lost market share, Market leader Maruti Suzuki grew over 19 per cent.
Renault has added cruise control, speed limiter, rear park assist, and Electronic Stability Control as standard features.
Tamil Nadu -- often dubbed as India's own Detroit due to its thriving automobile manufacturing ecosystem -- is in no mood to miss the EV bus either. Recent developments attest to it. Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast has promised a $2 billion plant in the southern state. And as promised earlier, the work on Tata Motors-JLR plant will kick off next week, on September 28, after the foundation stone laying ceremony.
Duster is expected to bear a 4x2 and 4x4 mechanism apart from the 1.6L, 16-valve petrol engine.
Renault Kwid plays the reinvention game to suit changing customer behaviour
The Kwid was launched in the last week of September.
Finally, an international carmaker serious about Indian design.
American tech billionaire Elon Musk on Saturday said his proposed visit to India has been postponed due to "very heavy Tesla obligations". The electric carmaker Tesla CEO -- who was expected to be in India on April 21 and 22 and scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- wrote on X that he is looking forward to coming to India later this year.
'India needs many more job creators, both in manufacturing and services, to make it big.' 'For that, the red carpet must be rolled out fully and for all investors without holding back,' suggests Nivedita Mookerji.
The French car maker has gained a firm footing in the small car segment, and is well on its way to becoming the topmost European car brand in India
Nissan and Renault say they will compete with new models, especially small cars, and by growing their dealer network.
The Renault Triber is an ideal vehicle which has enough buff in its looks and enough practical space for a family of 5 to go out on a weekend getaway, says Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com.
Nissan, Japan's third largest auto maker and Renault, France's second largest car maker, share vehicle platforms, engines and several components to meet economies of scale and generate volumes in India, where they use a common manufacturing facility in Chennai.
The Stepway will have raised ground clearance, body cladding to add that rugged look and roofrails too.
Carmakers Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Renault, Kia India and MG Motor on Wednesday announced plans to hike vehicle prices from January to partially offset the impact of rising input costs. They join the likes of market leader Maruti Suzuki India and Tata Motors, which have also made the year-end announcements to raise prices from next month. Audi India said it will increase prices of its entire model range by up to 1.7 per cent, while Mercedes-Benz India noted it will hike the prices by up to 5 per cent from January 1.
Company officials said it would not be possible to share details, as the study had just begun.
Tata Motors' Nano may be struggling to survive, but Renault Nissan alliance Chairman and chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn is glad the group followed the lead of "visionary" Ratan Tata's dream project
It is likely to be priced between Rs 8 and Rs 12 lakh
Since the beginning of its sales in India, French MPV Renault Lodgy has always faced stiff competition from Toyota Innova as the ultimate people's mover.
Hyundai to launch its new SUV- Creta in second half of 2015 in India.
Similar model is sold in UK, where it is offered in petrol as well as diesel models.
Fernando Alonso will race for Renault next season, the double world champion's Web site announced.
French auto major Renault on Monday said it is looking at launching zero-emission electric vehicles in India by the middle of this decade. The company, which unveiled its city two-seater 'Twizy' in the country, also plans to produce up to 500,000 units of electric vehicles (EV) globally by 2014.
Carlos Ghosn, 57, will unveil the concept version of Paris-based Renault's compact car prior to the start of the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix of India, which is scheduled to take place in October 28-30.
Company's sale to dealers hit an eight-month low to 6,924 units in January.