Renault bets big on India, plans seven-model portfolio by 2030

Mumbai: is planning an aggressive product push in India, entailing the introduction of seven new models by 2030 and transforming its manufacturing facility in into a global exports hub.

The French automaker expects India to become one of its top three markets globally by the turn of the decade. Renault’s renewed ambitions reflects that the automaker intends to change its status quo in India where it has only managed to less than 1% market share in over two decades of presence.

CEO François Provost, wrapping up a week-long visit to the country, Thursday unveiled futuREady India—the local chapter of a broader strategic overhaul the group announced in March.

The plan hinges on a seven-model portfolio spanning compact cars to larger SUVs, with powertrains ranging from strong hybrids to full electric. This includes the Duster SUV which went on sale in March. Also, the Bridger compact SUV concept will spawn an electric variant, in addition to petrol and hybrid.

The seven models will share two platforms — RGEP and RGMP — designed for multiple powertrains and intended to serve both India and other markets. Renault is pitching India not just as a sales destination but as a development base, with its Chennai engineering centre — home to 6,000 engineers — set to take on a larger role in building platforms and architectures for the global market.

On the manufacturing front, Renault recently took full ownership of its Chennai plant after buying the stake of its joint venture partner Nissan, which it said would anchor an export push targeting €2 billion in annual revenues by 2030 from cars, auto parts, and R&D — with South America as a primary destination.

The targets are bold for a brand that has struggled to hold relevance in India after the Duster’s initial success faded and subsequent models failed to find traction.

Renault’s market share has been thin for years, and the competition it now faces — from , Mahindra & Mahindra, , Hyundai and a wave of new Chinese entrants — is considerably stiffer than when it first arrived.

The maker of Duster, Triber, and Kiger models, ended FY26 with a 1% sales growth at 39,060 vehicles. Its market share during the period dropped marginally to 0.83% from 0.93% a year before, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).

“A seven-year warranty (similar to the Duster) and a sharper product line may help,” said an industry analyst. “But execution, as Renault has learnt in India before, is where plans tend to unravel.”