Renault KWID: The Game is still on

The new Renault KWID is pleasant surprise to the budget car industry in India. Equipped with extraordinary features those are not only best in class, but also in cars from segments above. It includes seven-inch touch-screen navigation system, a boot capacity of 300 litres, and the best in class ground clearance of 180 millimetres. The SUV look of the car is unique and attractive, with the best in class length & breadth offers a superior interior space, which is unusually rare in this segment. A three-cylinder 0.8-litre Smart Control Efficiency engine (799 CC, which is tuned to churn out 54PS and a peak torque of 72Nm with a 5-speed manual gearbox) enables it to generate a mileage of 25.17 kmpl, again the best in class.

With an affordable price of Rs 2.56 lakh to Rs 3.53 lakh, Renault KWID stands far ahead in the category of mini hatchbacks. The big question is now that whether KWID will be able to revive the dying mini car segment in India. With the changing preferences, increase in income level, availability of so many variants and easy bank financing options, the Indian consumer has already started to make a shift to the next level of owning a car.

The buzz that Renault has created with its online marketing efforts and India as a choice to be the first in global launch of KWID, reflects that seriousness of Renault towards the Indian market. The concept of virtual showroom, online demos and others communication efforts are worth appreciable and it also clicked for Renault as a flying start having managed to get 25,000 bookings within two weeks since its launch.

Surely, a well equipped mini car has everything to make a mark but isn't it too late for Renault to cater the segment? Or Renault is just trying to list the presence in the category? Though less price would enable it to fetch the market share but competition is already intense with Maruti Alto and Hundai Eon. The miserable journey of Tata Nano so far has already proved that even a college going boy is not much interested in mini cars. Sluggish sales of mini cars in India and falling market share of the segment (mini car segment constituted 30% in 2010-11, which is continuously on downfall with 21% market share in 2014-15) and comparative increase of market share of compact hatchbacks and sedan cars is the biggest challenge for Renault.

Despite of a few weak points and potential threats, Renault KWID has the mind-blowing strength to utilize the available opportunity in the dynamic market of India. 

China’s Quest of Innovation

The attitude of a typical consumer (may be outside) China; a Chinese product means something cheap, sub-standard and a “mimic” innovation, which may last up-to a certain level of uses. Unknowing the fact that almost everything (which we consider a product of high quality) is directly or indirectly associated with Chinese markets, in one or other way, includes assembling, manufacturing or labouring.

Slowing economic development and looking for future prospects of healthy growth forcing China to transit itself into an innovation driven economy. It is spending $200 Billion (an increase of up-to four fold in less than a decade) on R&D, a year, which amounts 2% of its GDP and further increase is possible in upcoming years. It is almost at par with the R&D spending of USA and far greater than which India spends on R&D (0.9% of its much smaller GDP).

The China’s quest of innovation is moreover lies on the legal framework, financial functioning and its acknowledgement to the private sector. To establish the credibility of its ‘own’ products outside China will be the biggest challenge, apart from the global ‘technical- co-ordination’ to produce better products.

The issues with India and China on their respective R&D endeavour are alike. The majority of innovations-hubs in both the countries are state driven and politically dominated, which allow the least; freedom, funds & fun of doing innovation. Often the private firms include marketing research and other such initiatives under the umbrella of R&D, in order to exempt tax obligations.

The most effective way to indulge innovation into the thinking process starts from the basic, i.e. inclusion of universities and colleges in R&D initiatives. 4 out of 5 university graduates in India are not unemployable as they do not have right skills. Better R&D facilities at university and college level can be the game-changer for both India and China.

Both the countries do not lack in resources but proper planning and effective implementation of R&D friendly policies are required. 

Simplicity and The Leadership

Heard a news that Mr. Kapil Sibbal is moving to his recently rented bungalow. Built on a 1,250 square yard plot in Jor Bagh, overlooking the Safdarjung Tomb, is owned by Delhi-based businessman Siddharth Sareen

and the rent will be Rs. 16 Lakh/per month! 

Yup! you heard it it right. It's 16 Lac per month. 

Let me calculate how would a average person can spend 16 Lac:

If I consider a single time meal costs Rs. 25 (which may be the least consideration, unlike Govt assumption)-

Two time meal a day: Rs. 50

One Month average would be: Rs 1500

and 

For the whole year food one has to spend: Rs. 18000

If one is living in a rented house, let me consider a total spending of Rs. 50,000 Approx/year

A family of three members can survive for SIXTEEN YEARS in 16 Lac (including food), which is the only one month rent of Mr. Kapil Sibbal's new house.

I don't deny the fact that he had made this amount of wealth with his hard-work and dedication towards profession. But, what about his commitment as a national leader? 

Mr. Sibbal is not only politician, who is living such a luxurious lifestyle. There are so many examples from Mr. Kejriwal to Mr. Naveen Jindal.

Being a representative of a nation, whose maximum population is striving for food and basic facilities. Enjoying such leisure is not an ideal example.

On the other-side, politicians like 

Mr. Manik Sarkar (CM Tripura), known as frugal CM in India with an earning of Rs. 9200 PM

Mr. Manohar Parrikar (CM Goa), known for his low lifestyle 

Ms. Mamata Benerjee (CM West Bengal), known for her simplicity

Mr. Narendra Modi (PM-India)- 'Sanaysi' turned Politician 

are gigantic examples of SIMPLE LIVING, HIGH THINKING.

It is not about the politicians only, every person who is involved in any kind of 'leading role', should set the example for others. 

''An exemplary nation cannot be created merely with the land it holds, but the leadership it possess''