Hyundai takes Mahindra Renault to Delhi HC over 'Sandero'

"They (Mahindra Renault) are planning to launch Sandero, which is very similar sounding to our Santro. Both are hatchbacks and Santro is an established trademark and they are trying to get mileage out of it," a senior Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) official said.

HMIL's plea requests the court not to allow Mahindra Renault to launch the car under the name Sandero, he added.

Neither a call made to Mahindra Renault Chief Executive Officer Nalin Mehta nor an e-mail sent to Mahindra & Mahindra group spokesperson seeking comments on the development got a reply.
'Santro' is HMIL's flagship brand and a total of over 15 lakh units have been sold both in the domestic and the overseas markets since its launch in September 1998.

On the other hand, Mahindra Renault has been struggling to mark its presence in the Indian car market with its sole product Logan failing miserably sparking speculations of a break-up of the joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra and French auto major Renault.
Market analysts pointed out that the firm desperately needs another product to keep the JV alive.

The Logan sold only 510 units in September compared to 1,752 units in the same month last year. In the first six months of this fiscal, the JV sold 2,901 units compared to 9,217 units in the same period last year.
Last week Renault President and CEO Carlos Ghosn had said that falling sales of the Logan was a matter of concern and hinted that all was not well in its relationship with M&M and the ties could even be broken.
"I am not saying we will, I am saying we can. I don't want anybody to be surprised. We have today three partners (in India). Our intention is to continue with the three partners, but if it is not possible, I can tell you that we need at least one," Ghosn had said at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Renault has other alliances with Bajaj Auto for a small car project and Ashok Leyland through Nissan for light commercial vehicles in India.

He had stated if things didn't work out Renault could eventually bring its future product with a new partner.
"It is a matter of concern, every time your sales go down on any model not only in India, we always check why ... We are going to try sometime, if it does not work we will go for a second time with a decent car and eventually with a different partner, does not matter. We are in India to stay," Ghosn had said.