Renault's Indian subsidiary is considering exporting Kwid to Latin American and African markets, the company’s CEO and managing director, Sumit Sawhney, told Indian media this week.
“We are already working on the Latin American and African projects for the Kwid. By projects, I mean CBU, CKD, SKD or a mix of CKD and local production where I ship 35 pressed panels out of 100. We have huge opportunity for Kwid in Latin America, Africa and other emerging markets,” he told IAB.
He, however, omitted Iran from his statement.
Sawhney added no cars have left India yet and the projects were in the study stage.
"Kwid will not be sold in European markets," Carlos Ghosn, chairman of the Renault-Nissan alliance, said at the time of unveiling the car in Chennai in May this year.
The confirmation by the Indian branch of Renault backs up statements by Renault Pars, Iran's subsidiary where it announced plans to produce Kwid in Iran to replace the aging Kia Pride.
Peyman Kargar, director of the local subsidiary Renault Pars, said earlier in September, "for this vehicle to replace Pride in Iran, over 85% of it need to be manufactured locally. Kwid is the most preferable option to replace Pride."
In the local market, the price of the vehicle nearly doubles to 250 to 300 million rials ($7,300 to $8,750 at market exchange rate), Eghtesad News reported, making it still more expensive than the Pride.
Since Pride is currently offered at 200 million rials ($5,800 at market exchange rate), the sales of which have slumped because of the online campaign against domestic cars for being overpriced, the Iranian reception for Kwid remains to be seen.
Kwid was launched in India last month with prices starting at around $4,000 up to $6,000 for the top-end variant with a driver-side airbag. It is powered by a 799 cc three-cylinder petrol engine capable of 54 PS at 5,678 rpm and 72 Nm of torque at 4,386 rpm, paired to a five-speed manual gearbox.
With an ARAI rated fuel efficiency of 25.17 km/l, Kwid is currently winning over Indian car buyers with its mix of style and low cost.
