Renault Duster and Nissan Tekton Hit Lowest Monthly Sales in August

The new Renault Duster and the Nissan Tekton recorded their lowest monthly wholesales in August since launching earlier this year, according to SIAM data. Renault launched the Duster in March, reaching its highest monthly total of 2,359 units in April before falling to 406 units in August. Similarly, the Nissan Tekton dropped to 491 units in August after starting strong at 1,670 units in July. Both SUVs lost ground within their carmakers' line-ups. The Duster fell from being Renault's best-selling model in April to fourth place in August, trailing behind the Triber at 1,536 units, the Kiger at 474 units, and the Kwid at 426 units. Meanwhile, the Tekton dropped from first place in July to third place for Nissan in August, sitting behind the Magnite at 1,495 units and the Gravite at 1,440 units. Despite the domestic sales slump, exports have been much stronger. Renault shipped 1,457 Duster units between April and August, helping drive a 102 percent year-on-year growth in total passenger vehicle exports to 10,499 units. Nissan also exported 1,340 units of the Tekton in August to South Africa, Nepal, and Bhutan. Industry experts point to a limited engine and transmission lineup as a key cause for the weak domestic numbers. Both SUVs are sold only with turbo-petrol engines, lacking diesel, CNG, or naturally aspirated petrol options. Furthermore, automatic gearboxes are restricted to the costlier 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine and are missing from the more affordable 1.0-litre variant. A hybrid powertrain is expected for the Duster around Diwali, though it may arrive only on higher trims, while the Tekton will not receive a hybrid option at all.