Calcutta, Sept. 18: Renault India is looking to expand its domestic network to 270 dealerships by the end of this year from 205 in January 2016.

"We will have seven more showrooms in Bengal, besides two in Calcutta and one each in Siliguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Berhampur, Howrah, Haldia, Krishnanagar and Malda," Sumit Sawhney, CEO and managing director of Renault India, said during the inauguration of Renault's second facility here at Alipore recently.

"We are expanding our footprint largely in the smaller cities. We want to have a strong presence throughout the country," he said.

Renault India has garnered a 4.5 per cent market share during January-August 2016. In 2015, the company had a 2 per cent pie.

"We have sold 87,000 vehicles till date and are confident of crossing the one-lakh figure in 2016," Sawhney said.

The company had sold around 50,000 cars in 2015. Sales of the Renault Kwid has largely contributed to the rise in the company's market share. About 64,000 Kwids have been sold till August.

Overseas routes

The company has started exporting its products to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, besides South Africa.

"Renault India will also supply components to the manufacturing facility in Brazil, provided our local suppliers offer a competitive pricing," Sawhney said.

More vehicles

The company has recently launched the 1-litre Kwid and is also poised to introduce an automated manual transmission in the car before the festive season.

Among its other vehicles, the Duster is selling 2,000 units a month.

However, its MPV Lodgy has failed to make a mark with only 700 units sold per month despite a price "realignment" in July 2016.

"The MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) segment is degrowing. This is mainly because of the diesel ban as well as the poor performance of the construction segment. But I am sure growth will pick up and the Lodgy will post better sales," Sawhney said.