Chennai, Jan 17 (IANS) French automobile manufacturer Renault will launch two more cars in India this year of which sports utility vehicle (SUV) Duster will be one.

In a statement issued by Renault Tuesday, the company said the range of models in India would be expanded with the addition of three new vehicles, including Pulse and Duster. These launches illustrate the brand’s determination to become a major player in this market which forms the third pillar of its international strategy, along with Russia and Brazil.

Last year, Renault India launched Koleos and Fluence while at the recent Auto Expo in New Delhi, the company launched its mass market car, Pulse.

The SUV Duster is expected to be launched before Diwali this year and one more car will also be launched during the year.

Globally, the Renault group sold 2,722,062 vehicles last year, logging an increase of 94,697 units, a growth of 3.6 percent.

According to Renault, sales outside Europe went up by 19.2 percent and account for 43 percent of the total sales.

“In 2011, the Renault group beat its own record, selling 2.7 million vehicles, and pursued its global expansion, generating 43 percent of its sales outside Europe. Despite mixed results in Europe, Renault remains the market’s No.2 brand and was the LCV (light commercial vehicle) leader for the fourteenth year in a row. Last year also ushered in the era of the affordable electric vehicle, with the launches of Renault Fluence Z.E. and Renault Kangoo Z.E,” Jerome Stoll, executive vice president, Sales and Marketing and Light Commercial Vehicles was quoted in the release.

According to Renault, the global market is expected to expand 4 percent in 2012 compared with 2011 and hopes to continue to grow outside Europe in those markets were it is strong.