Venkatram Mamillapalle and Francisco Hidalgo
After years of a bit of turbulence and transformation, Renault is scripting a confident new chapter in India. At the heart of this resurgence lies the 'Renault Rethink' strategy—a bold, deeply localised approach focused on rebuilding trust, reimagining products, rethinking space, and offering smarter, more intelligent and versatile mobility solutions, all aimed at redefining the customer experience in one of the world’s most demanding automotive markets.
Integration, Independence and Intent
Speaking to Mobility Outlook, Venkatram Mamillapalle, Managing Director of Renault India Private Limited (RIPL), said, the all new Triber with over 35 design and feature enhancements, is the harbinger of aggressive growth for Renault in India. According to him, the global OEM’s new direction is driven by a decisive move: full integration of its Indian operations. Previously split across manufacturing, engineering and commercial functions, with overlapping presence from its former partner Nissan, the company has now unified under one consolidated structure. “This restructuring has empowered Renault with greater agility, faster decision-making, and a distinct brand focus free from legacy entanglements, he said.
The appointment of a dedicated Stephane Deblaise as a dedicated Chief Executive Officer of Renault Group in India, for the first time, underscores this newfound autonomy. As Mamillapalle put it, 'There is no more need for consensus from a partner; we now have complete control to shape our destiny.'
Investing In The Future
At a roundtable following the launch of the all new compact 7-seater Triber, Mamillapalle said, Renault’s renewed conviction in the Indian market is backed by hard numbers. As part of a broader €3 billion global initiative for international markets, the company has earmarked €600 million for India. This is more than just a financial commitment; it's a roadmap to transformation. Key milestones include the acquisition of 100% stake in its Chennai plant and the launch of its largest global design studio outside France, located in Chennai. With over 6,000 employees at the R&D and design hub, and more than 300 dedicated design professionals, India is now a global innovation centre for the brand, he mentioned.
Reimagining Customer Journey
The 'Rethink' strategy is more than a business overhaul—it’s an invitation to consumers to rediscover Renault. The first visible manifestation of this is the new-age 'R-Stores' that offer an immersive, tech-enabled brand experience. Already launched in Chennai and Mumbai, these stores will be rolled out across India, aligning with the OEM’s plan to expand beyond the current 350 outlets in sync with its growing product portfolio.
Products That Made History, Now Reinvented
If Renault’s past in India is defined by innovations, its future is built on enhancing those successes. The new Renault Triber, the first model under the Rethink initiative, embodies this philosophy. Originally launched in 2019 as the world’s first sub-4-metre 7-seater, the Triber disrupted market expectations with practical packaging and affordability. Built on the CMFA platform, developed in India, it offered a unique combination: a compact footprint, long wheelbase, and modularity.
Francisco Hidalgo, Vice President (Sales & Marketing), Renault India, told this publication that Renault’s seven-seater under four metres “remains a unique engineering achievement—and one whose relevance has only grown. While the core promise of space and versatility stays intact, the evolving customer aspirations for bolder design, richer features, and enhanced comfort have shaped its reinvention. This new avatar is not just more contemporary, but also more compelling—well aligned to urban needs and a wider range of mobility use-cases.'
The new Triber takes that legacy forward with a bolder design, enhanced features, and more premium appeal—all while maintaining its unique space advantage. It is also the first car in India to wear the brand's new global logo. Over 2.15 lakh units of the original Triber have found homes, serving roles as varied as family movers, pet taxis, kitchens-on-wheels, and mobile offices. “The aggressive pricing (ex-showroom: INR 6.30 lakh to INR 9.16 lakh) has been enabled by over 95% localisation,” he stated, “a figure that encompasses not only component sourcing but also design and engineering activities.” In addition to domestic sales and vehicle exports, the company has also empowered its supplier network to export components to Renault’s global facilities. Last year alone, component exports were valued at approximately €170 million, he noted.
Mamillapalle said Renault’s reinvention story is rooted in resilience. After peaking at 2.68% market share and 100,000 units annually pre-COVID, the company was hit hard by a series of crises: a global leadership upheaval, the pandemic, semiconductor shortages, and the Russia-Ukraine war. Shuttering operations in Russia, once a stronghold, resulted in a direct loss of 540,000 units and four plants.
With Europe in financial disarray, India’s operations were left to stay afloat with minimal support. But as the European business turned around by 2023, India became the next focus. The revival began with a strategic announcement in February 2023, committing over INR 5,400 crore to India and marking the start of the Rethink rollout.
Eyes On The Horizon
The all new Triber launch is just the beginning, he said, adding that the company has committed to launching four new models over the next two years, spanning A, B and C segments, and featuring multiple powertrain options—from petrol and CNG to EVs, hybrids, and ethanol. Diesel will never be part of its near future plans. The company is carefully gauging the market maturity, regulatory landscape, and infrastructure before pushing deeper into alternate energy options.
Though Renault currently utilises only 1.5 to 2 lakh of its 4.7 lakh unit capacity in Chennai, plans are underway to ramp up production in line with new product introductions. With localisation, design capability, and full ownership of its manufacturing base, Renault is positioned to scale quickly, Mamillapalle mentioned.
More Than Just Market Share
Renault isn’t rushing to claim market share targets just yet. Hidalgo said, “Market share is a byproduct; the focus is on building a robust, future-ready portfolio and delivering value to Indian customers.” With its transformation well underway, the carmaker’s new journey in India promises to be as disruptive and aspirational as its early years—but this time, backed by scale, commitment and vision.
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