Renault India expects Duster sales to increase fourfold as it expands the SUV's powertrain lineup, with India CEO Stéphane Deblaise acknowledging that limited engine choices have constrained its appeal in the competitive midsize SUV market.
Deblaise said the existing Duster lineup addresses only about 20% of the market in terms of powertrain preferences. The introduction of a strong-hybrid variant, along with further planned changes to its engines, could increase that coverage to 80–90%.
"Today, until having the hybrid, our market coverage in terms of powertrain in Duster was 20%," Deblaise said in an interaction with Autocar Professional. "When we introduce the hybrid and when we do additional modifications on our engines, we will cover up to 90%. We could multiply by four the volumes that we have today."
However, Deblaise clarified that he was not committing to a fourfold increase in sales, but explaining the potential improvement from addressing a wider customer base.
He acknowledged that Renault's initial powertrain offering was not broad enough to attract customers across the segment, even though buyers of the new Duster were satisfied with the vehicle's performance and driving experience.
"We don't address enough customers," he said, identifying the lack of powertrain diversity as one of the biggest lessons from Renault's recent experience in India.
The comments come as Renault introduced the Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 in India on Saturday, to strengthen the SUV's position after a decline in monthly sales following its launch earlier this year.
According to SIAM data, Duster dispatches increased from 1,402 units in March to 2,359 units in April before declining to 1,267 units in May, 1,011 units in June, 512 units in July and 406 units in August.
The slowdown has come despite growth in Renault's overall India business. The company reported domestic wholesales of 35,378 vehicles during January-September 2026, an increase of 36.6% from 25,886 units in the corresponding period last year. September wholesales stood at 3,399 units, according to Renault India.
Deblaise said the Indian passenger vehicle market has changed substantially in recent years, with customers now choosing between petrol, diesel, CNG, hybrid and electric vehicles. Renault, however, had largely depended on petrol powertrains, limiting its ability to address different customer preferences.
"The biggest one," he said when asked about his learnings, referring to the need for wider powertrain choices. "Engine, especially in India, is the heart of the car. And we forgot this."
Renault currently offers the Duster with 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engines. The strong-hybrid version combines a 1.8-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery, producing a combined 160 PS. Renault has announced an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 29 km/l for the model.
The company is positioning the hybrid as an alternative to diesel SUVs, which have traditionally attracted buyers looking for fuel efficiency and performance. Deblaise said Renault believes hybrids can increasingly replace diesel vehicles, as they have in several overseas markets.
However, Renault does not currently plan to introduce CNG or battery-electric versions of the Duster, despite seeking to expand the SUV's appeal to a wider section of the market.
Deblaise said the company sees CNG demand in the over-four-metre SUV segment as concentrated in specific models. While an electric Duster is technically feasible, Renault has not decided to introduce one.
Instead, the company intends to broaden the Duster's customer base through hybrid technology and further changes to its petrol engine offerings.
Deblaise also indicated that strong hybrids could account for more than half of Duster sales if customers respond positively to the technology.
"I really think that more than 50% is possible," he said, while cautioning that actual demand would depend on how well customers understand the benefits of hybrid technology.
He suggested that the hybrid's contribution could reach around 60% if customers recognise its driving and efficiency advantages.
The Duster competes with models including the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Victoris, and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The segment has become increasingly competitive, with manufacturers offering a wider choice of engines, transmissions and electrified powertrains.
Deblaise said the decision to introduce a hybrid powertrain was not part of Renault's original plan for India. He proposed the technology after assessing the market, with the company subsequently accelerating its introduction.
"It is my proposal to introduce hybrid. It was not planned," he said, adding that the decision was taken roughly a year ago.
The Duster forms a central part of Renault's wider India revival strategy. The French automaker plans to expand its portfolio to seven models by 2030, including vehicles offering hybrid and electric powertrains, under its futuREady strategy.
Renault has also outlined an ambition to regain a 3-5% share of India's passenger vehicle market by the end of the decade, supported by new product launches and a broader powertrain offering.