Renault makes fresh start in Indian market

Looking to leave behind a false start, French carmaker Renault is positioning itself to make a vigorous re-entry into India's fast-growing auto market for which it has lined up a slew of new models.

Announcing its entry with billboards saying, "Bonjour India. We are Renault," the company last month launched its luxury sedan Fluence in the country and plans to add four more models by the end of 2012.

Renault India managing director Marc Nassif said the company had just launched the brand (Renault) in India where it did not exist before. He said it was a fresh start for the company.

Renault last year gave up its attempt to crack the Indian market, an unhappy tie-up with India's top sports utility vehicle maker Mahindra and Mahindra that produced the Logan, a dated-looking car that never took off.

The French company, has designated India, Brazil and Russia as its top three strategic markets for international expansion.

The partially state-owned group is targeting a 2.5 per cent share of the Indian car market by 2013 and 5 per cent over the longer term.