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26 Jan 2026 | 628 Views | By Kiran Murali
After four years, Renault has brought back its Duster mid-size SUV in India as the French automaker looks to revive its share in the world’s fastest-growing automobile market. The new Duster is the first India-bound launch under Renault’s International Game Plan 2027, which is pivotal for the recovery of the ...
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After four years, Renault has brought back its Duster mid-size SUV in India as the French automaker looks to revive its share in the world’s fastest-growing automobile market. The new Duster is the first India-bound launch under Renault’s International Game Plan 2027, which is pivotal for the recovery of the brand's presence and scale in India.
On Monday, the new avatar of the Duster was unveiled in Chennai. First launched in 2012, the Duster practically started the SUV trend in India along with the Ford EcoSport. The product was a success back then, which helped Renault record its highest-ever market share of around 4% in 2016. However, the earlier model was discontinued in early 2022 amid stringent emission norms.
"Duster did not just compete in a segment, it created one... Now, Duster is back, Renault is back," said Renault India Chief Executive Officer Stephane while launching the third-generation Duster. "Today, with the launch of Duster, we are entering a new phase of acceleration in India. India is a key pillar for our growth outside Europe," said Fabrice Cambolive, Chief Growth Officer at the Renault Group.
The new Duster is built on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), which is 90% India-specific and provides best-in-class ride and handling, according to the company. The Duster comes with a new turbo GDi engine – Turbo TCe160 – with best-in-segment output of 163 PS and 280 Nm, paired with a 6-speed wet-clutch EDC, as well as a strong hybrid powertrain option.
According to V. Vikraman, Chief of Engineering at Renault India, the Duster is engineered for endurance and long-term durability, designed specifically for Indian driving conditions.
Today’s SUV-heavy market is far more competitive than it was a decade ago, when the Duster ruled Indian roads. Back then, SUVs accounted for only a low double-digit share of total passenger vehicle sales; today, they make up more than half of all cars sold in the country. The mid-size SUV segment is now dominated by Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki and Kia, which offer a wide portfolio of feature-rich models with multiple powertrain options.
Renault was once seen as a potential disruptor with the Duster in 2011 and with the Kwid in 2015, which came with an exciting design in the entry-level segment. The automaker’s volume peaked in FY2016–17, when it sold 135,123 units and captured nearly 4% market share with these two models.
But Renault struggled to maintain momentum amid a lack of aggressive production expansion. The company did not have a product to compete with popular models like the Creta and Seltos, while the pandemic further exposed and amplified these weaknesses. In financial year 2025, Renault’s India volumes came down to just 37,900 units, while market share contracted to 1%.
With the launch of the new Duster, Renault’s portfolio in India has four models, including the Kwid, Kiger and Triber. With a refresh of its entire existing lineup and the relaunch of the Duster, Renault India MD Venkat said the company is targeting double-digit growth and a bounce back to a 3% market share in financial year 2027.
"The re-entry of the Duster is a pivotal launch for Renault. In today’s SUV-heavy market, success will depend not only on aggressive sales execution and a superior consumer experience, but also on the powertrain strategy. A decade ago, the K9K diesel was the star that defined the Duster’s appeal—this time, Renault must deliver equally compelling options to sustain momentum and prove the Duster can be more than a one-hit wonder," said Gaurav Vangal, Associate Director for Light Vehicle Production Forecast at S&P Global.
Renault’s International Game Plan 2027 looks at a renewed push in markets outside Europe where the brand has traditionally had a strong presence. Under the plan, Renault has committed to invest €3 billion to introduce eight new models globally beyond Europe, including five vehicles in the higher-value C and D segments by 2027.
The company is also targeting a sharper electrification push, with one in three vehicles sold outside Europe expected to be electric or hybrid by the end of the decade. Alongside product expansion, the Renault Group aims to double its net revenue per vehicle in international markets by 2027 compared with 2019 levels.
In India, following the refresh of all its models, including the Duster, a three-row SUV is likely to be launched. With these launches, Renault plans to cover all segments from A to D. India is poised to play a pivotal role in Renault’s product transformation and electrification roadmap with the introduction of the CMF-B modular platform. This platform will support new B- and C-segment models aimed at both domestic and export markets—segments where Renault currently lacks scale. In the long term, Renault could also explore the Brazil-developed CMF-C platform in India.