The Indian Government needs to define a consistent fuel policy for the auto industry with a long-term roadmap, said Mr Marc Nassif, Country Managing Director, Renault India.

Responding to a query on the Government's move to increase taxes on diesel powered vehicles, Mr Nassif said it is "distracting" if the industry has to crystal-gaze every March as to which way the policy will go, Mr Nassif told Business Line on the sidelines of the launch of its compact SUV Duster.

Investments in a powertrain last for 20 years and companies need enough time to respond to policy changes, said Mr Nassif. "We are not anti-change but without a roadmap it is impossible."

Referring to Europe which gave a 10-year roadmap when it decided that tax advantage on diesel fuel would go, Mr Nassif said this gave the company enough time to take a decision based on where the market would head. "In Brazil too, where there is no diesel, we had time to plan and get ready."

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