HomeCar NewsRenault Lodgy MPV India launch in 2015, Dacia Lodgy Europe sales weak

Renault Lodgy MPV India launch in 2015, Dacia Lodgy Europe sales weak

While Renault prepares to bring Lodgy MPV to India, engine and other feature specs are as yet not available. Worldwide, Lodgy is sold under Renault-owned Dacia brand. In India it will be sold as Renault Lodgy, making its market entry in 2015. Beginning it’s MPV journey 3 decades earlier was Renault Espace. Now Renault brings this experience to India with it’s Lodgy MPV to offer best in segment performance.

Compared to the European variant of Lodgy, the Indian Lodgy gets a slight makeover.

Renault is working on increasing its presence in India, and looks to offer products in the volume and growth segments to strengthen its position. Renault Lodgy MPV will take on Honda Mobilio and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Though a fairly new defined market, sales has been growing in the MPV segment with 3,589 units of Mobilio and Ertiga contributing the lion’s share of 5,515 UV’s sold last month.

European Lodgy.

Dacia’s budget brand appeal has a stronghold in Europe but Lodgy in particular has seen sales diminish. In fact, a AutoNews Europe report pointed to the need for Renault to axe either Logan MCV station wagon, Dokker van or Lodgy compact minivan from Dacia’s lineup since the European market shifts away from vans and stations wagons, and towards SUV/crossovers in subcompact, compact and economy car segment.

Though the grille design is same, Indian Lodgy gets more chrome. Same treatment for the claddings on the door.

Demand in Indian auto market varies largely from European trends, and while the compact crossover segment continues to grow, MPV’s too are an altogether new segment with sales across manufacturer’s being positive. More so, Indian auto market has fewer players in the MPV segment as of now, while segment volumes are growing. Renault Lodgy is likely to be powered by the 1.5-litre diesel engine seen on Duster, but could be detuned a bit. India Spec Lodgy production will be at the Chennai based Renault-Nissan alliance plant.

Also Read – Renault Lodgy spied in India

Dacia Lodgy MPV was first shown at 2012 Geneva Motor Show but isn’t the car that has brought Dacia success in Europe despite the 5 or 7 seat low cost MPV being sold at a noticeably lower entry price point than competition. While Lodgy for India won’t require excessive R&D since the car isn’t new, question is will this hand me down be a perfect fit for India?

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