Renault India Sees Hybrids As Major Volume-Generating Powertrain In Medium Term

NEW DELHI – Strong hybrid vehicles are likely to emerge as a major volume-generating powertrain in the Indian market over the medium term, as diesel demand declines and electric vehicles take longer to become the dominant technology, according to Renault India's Vice President for Sales and Marketing Francisco Marques.

Renault is set to introduce its first strong hybrid model with the Duster next month, as the French automaker enters a market where hybrid sales remain limited. Marques said the company expects the technology to play a much larger role as India's auto market moves through an energy transition.

“Now hybrid is the perfect transition. And when I talk about transition, it is not for a short time or about one year or two years. Hybrid is going to be the main volume-making technology probably for the next 10, 15 or 20 years to come,” Marques said.

Why Diesel Is Declining and EV Adoption Is Slower in India

He said diesel vehicles would decline and electric vehicles are still not ready to become the only technology in the market. At the same time, the availability of charging infrastructure and charging capacity would limit the pace of EV adoption.

“Until EVs become something more, then there will be hydrogen. So I see diesel declining, I see a strong hybrid growing very fast. And it's related to the offer,” he said.

India's car market is increasingly seeing multiple powertrain technologies develop alongside each other, including hybrids, CNG and electric vehicles, rather than one single technology replacing another immediately.

Renault Skips Diesel for Strong Hybrid With E-Tech Localisation

“So we have decided to go straight into hybrid, jumping over diesel. And that will have the first-mover advantage,” Marques said.

Marques said the company believes the technology can attract customers who would otherwise consider diesel vehicles. Renault plans to localise its E-Tech hybrid technology in India.

Renault India's Seven-Model Portfolio and Upcoming SUVs

The company is also preparing to expand its product portfolio here. Renault has announced plans to expand its product portfolio to seven models. That will include a new seven-seater SUV, a sub-4-metre SUV based on its Bridger concept and another model that has not yet been disclosed.

Renault Dealership Network to Reach 500 Showrooms by 2027

The automaker also plans to expand its retail network to nearly 500 showrooms by the end of 2027 from more than 350 currently. It has added more than 50-60 touchpoints this year and plans to continue expanding the network as new models are introduced.