Renault Ships 750 India-Made Duster SUVs to Africa in Export Push

Exports of the brand-new Duster have begun by Renault India, a fully owned subsidiary of the Renault Group, a French automaker. The most recent export deal saw 750 units sent out of Chennai to South Africa in the first shipment. With the launch of the new Duster, Renault India has begun its worldwide export programme, and more international markets will be added in the next months.

This significant achievement highlights the increasing importance of India in Renault Group's worldwide supply chain. Additionally, it demonstrates the company's commitment to preparing for the future by enhancing India's standing as a vital centre for exports, engineering, and manufacturing.

Renault’s India’s Manufacturing Unit a Key Hub: CEO

The new Duster serves as the inaugural Renault vehicle in India to be constructed on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), an adaptable framework intended to accommodate various powertrain technologies. All trim levels and engine options have earned the vehicle a 5-star safety certification from Bharat NCAP. That is why it is ready for both local and international markets.

In his remarks for the event, Renault Group India CEO Stephane Deblaise emphasised the significance of the new Duster's export launch for Renault in India. The launch is a great endorsement of the brand's operations in Chennai in terms of quality, competence, and competitiveness. The company's efforts to establish India as a key component of Renault's worldwide industrial footprint are evident in the announcement.

The chief executive officer went on to say that India has all it needs to become a major export hub for automobiles, including top-notch engineering expertise, a large population, and a dynamic logistics infrastructure. India will become an ever more crucial part of Renault's future strategies as the firm keeps growing its global presence. Renault is determined to help India achieve its manufacturing goals and is now targeting  yearly export revenue of 2 billion Euros from the country by 2030.

Duster Always a Driving Force for Renault

Starting with the previous-generation Duster in 2012, Renault began exporting vehicles from India. The company began shipping out Kwids in 2016, then Tribers in 2019, and finally Kigers in 2021. Currently, fourteen nations in South Africa, East Africa, the Indian Ocean region, the Asia-Pacific, and SAARC receive models manufactured in India from the French carmaker. It is believed that Renault's future expansion ambitions in India and other international markets will heavily involve the new-generation Duster.

Renault has scheduled a slew of new product releases for the next few years. Later this fiscal year, the 7-seater Duster version will be unveiled, and a sub-4-metre Bridger SUV is scheduled for the Diwali launch of 2027. Renault became a household name in India thanks to the original Duster, which was a huge hit with Indian consumers. But since it went out of production, Renault has only offered the Kwid, Kiger, and Triber models.