Renault has started sales of locally assembled Duster SUVs in Indonesia with local partner Indomobil Group as the automaker eyes big growth potential in the market.
Renault said the Dusters are being assembled from semi-knockdown kits imported from India. The Duster is sold as a Dacia in Europe and Africa and with a Renault badge elsewhere.
Renault has also begun Indonesian sales of the Koleos SUV and the Megane RS imported from South Korea and Spain respectively.
"We have plans to build other models [in Indonesia] that we haven't announced yet, starting in 2015," a Renault spokeswoman told Automotive News Europe.
'Key country'
Indonesia, which has population of 250 million, is currently the economic powerhouse of Southeast Asia.
With just 36 vehicles per 1,000 residents, the market represents good growth potential for Renault, which is trying to generate sales outside of stagnant European markets. By comparison, there are 560 cars for every 1,000 residents in western Europe.
"Indonesia is becoming a key country for the development of Renault in the Asia-Pacific region. The high growth rate of the automobile market will fuel Renault's acceleration as we bring more and more models to meet the needs of Indonesian customers," Jerome Stoll, Renault's chief performance officer, said in a statement.
Renault will sell the cars through showrooms operated by Indomobil. The Indonesian company is planning to operate up to 45 showrooms for the automaker by 2016.
