Emerging markets' Renault Captur's first production location will be Russia - Report

Will get an AWD system as well.

Vedomosti, a Russian newspaper, reports that Renault will start production of the Captur in Russia from the second half of 2016. However, the Captur which will be made at the Avtoframos plant in Russia will differ significantly from the model on sale currently.

To begin with, the Captur which will be made in Russia will be based on the B0 platform, the same platform which underpins vehicles like the Duster, Sandero, Lodgy etc. Analysts told the publication that this platform is well localized in Russia, and hence could give the company an advantage in price positioning the SUV.

Sources told the newspaper that the exterior of the B0-based Captur will look similar to the European model. While the current Clio-based Captur is solely a front-wheel drive crossover, the B0-based model will get all-wheel drive, the report states.

The B0 Captur will be priced and positioned above the Duster in Russia, and will mainly appeal to the young audience. For reference, the Duster is priced from 599,000 Rubles (INR 6.26 lakhs) in the Russian market. According to the report, the Captur will increase Renault's market share in the SUV segment by 3-5 percent.

Renault had no comments about the future model, when asked by the publication.

Also read: Renault India to launch 7-seat Lodgy for fleet segment by year-end – IAB Report

A previous report dated July 2015 read that Renault will introduce a B0-based Captur for the Brazilian market. Its highly plausible that Renault may leverage the B0 platform for the Captur for emerging markets like Russia and Brazil, with India being a key contender too.

[Source - Vedomosti]