Renault Bags 20000 Duster Bookings, Hikes Prices

Renault India has announced a considerable price hike on the Duster compact SUV, which will go into effect from 1st October, 2012. The French automaker has hiked the prices of the Renault Duster by Rs. 30,000/- (petrol variants) and 40,000/- (diesel variants), which is equivalent to around 4 percent. The reason for the price hike is the increase in input costs and depreciation of Rupee. The company says these factors are not under its control and they were left with no other option but to increase prices.

All those who have booked the Renault Duster in August and haven’t received their compact SUV are immune to the price hike. Renault had mentioned at the time of launch that the prices of the Duster are introductory. The company has received 20,000 bookings for their hot selling vehicle, since its launch almost three months back. In order to meet demand, Renault has increased production and is currently running three shifts at its Chennai facility. Vendors have been asked to boost output as well.

Renault has currently sold out its production till December and the waiting period on the Duster is between 2-4 months (depending on the variant). Renault is currently manufacturing 4500 units of the Duster every month, which is not enough to meet the high demand. The company is currently working on boosting output of the Duster as the compact SUV will be exported to right-hand drive markets early next year. The 4-wheel drive variant of the Renault Duster is expected to arrive by 2014, when the demand starts to decrease.