French automaker Renault is betting on faster launches, a revived Duster, and new SUVs under its International Game Plan 2027.
27 Jan 2026 | 360 Views | By Kiran Murali & Hormazd Sorabjee
On the back of accelerated product development and faster product launches, French automaker Renault is targeting to regain its market share in India’s passenger vehicle market, with an eye on a 3-5% share in the world’s fastest-growing market by the end of this decade.
“Our objective now is to ...
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On the back of accelerated product development and faster product launches, French automaker Renault is targeting to regain its market share in India’s passenger vehicle market, with an eye on a 3-5% share in the world’s fastest-growing market by the end of this decade.
“Our objective now is to gain traction in terms of renewals. I would say that between a 3% and 5% of the market should be a good target for us. I would say this is not a target in itself, but rather a result of doing our job well,” Renault brand CEO and Chief Growth Officer Fabrice Cambolive told Autocar Professional.
Renault’s management said the launch of the Duster facelift on Monday marks the beginning of a new phase of growth for the brand in India. Unlike the past, the automaker is now looking at launching new products and updates every year to build the momentum.
Renault was once seen as a market disruptor in India, first with the launch of the Duster in 2011 and later with the Kwid in 2015, which stood out in the entry-level segment for its design and positioning. The automaker’s India volumes peaked in FY17, when it sold 135,123 units and commanded close to 4% market share, largely driven by these two models.
The momentum, however, proved difficult to sustain. Renault discontinued Duster in early 2022, struggled to scale up its portfolio, and did not have a product to rival competitors in the high-selling SUV segments. The pandemic further exposed these gaps. By FY25, Renault’s India sales had fallen to 37,900 units, with its market share shrinking to below 1%.
Cambolive acknowledged the lesson learnt in India: “When you are in India, the first lesson you have to learn is the speed,” adding that India is a key market in Renault’s global network strategy, alongside Latin America, Turkey, Morocco and South Korea, helping the company move faster.
The new Duster is the first model for India under Renault’s International Game Plan 2027 and is seen as central to rebuilding the brand’s scale and presence in the country. Alongside updates to its existing line-up, including the Duster, Renault is also expected to introduce a three-row SUV. Together, these launches are aimed at giving the company a presence across key segments.
India is expected to play an important role in Renault’s wider product and electrification plans with the rollout of the CMF-B modular platform. The platform will underpin new models in the B and C segments, which will be developed for both the Indian market and exports, helping Renault address gaps where it currently lacks scale.