Renault India, a fully owned subsidiary of the Renault Group, has launched its new transformation strategy for the Indian market under the banner ‘renault. rethink’, alongside the inauguration of its new Renault Design Centre in Chennai.
The new design facility is set to drive the brand’s ambition to not only make in India but also design in India, as the company aims to deepen its localisation strategy while contributing to Renault’s global innovation pipeline.
The Design Centre, strategically located near RNTBCI (Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India), is expected to serve as a hub of design excellence and collaboration.
Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group, noted that India’s complexity and diversity demanded a dedicated studio to craft vehicles that are aligned with local consumer expectations while also contributing to global projects. He added that the proximity to engineering and technical teams would accelerate integration of design with innovation and product development.
According to Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO and MD of Renault India Operations, the launch of the renault. rethink strategy marks a pivotal moment for Renault’s India operations. He highlighted that Renault is now the most Indian of European carmakers, with the largest R&D centre, highly localised supply chain, and a new design studio to complete its end-to-end ecosystem. The company also recently announced a 100% acquisition of the RNAIPL manufacturing plant, underscoring its long-term commitment to India.
The Chennai Design Centre, spread across 1,500 m², features cutting-edge technology for immersive design development including 3D evaluation zones, advanced visualisation studios, high-resolution virtual reality setups, and a massive 8.5m x 2.4m LED wall for real-time collaboration. Its interior layout, inspired by the philosophy of 'Tactile Confluence', blends European minimalism with Indian cultural elements, supporting both focused work and creative exchange.
A centrepiece of the launch was the unveiling of the ‘renault. rethink’ sculpture, a high-tech conceptual installation symbolising Renault’s future-facing design language and commitment to India. Designed by Indian talent, the sculpture uses glitch-inspired aesthetics and a central light feature to evoke the idea of constant innovation and emergence—mirroring Renault’s evolving vision. According to Acker, the artwork is a metaphor for Renault’s readiness to contribute to India’s mobility future, declaring that “Renault is loading.”
This bold step comes at a time when Renault Group has delivered its strongest financial performance globally, recording €4.3 billion in operating profit and revenue growth of 7.4% in 2024. With nearly 10,000 engineers at its Chennai R&D hub, Renault has long been exporting made-in-India components and vehicles, and the company’s expanding presence signals a renewed push to address evolving consumer needs and mobility trends in the world’s third-largest auto market.
The Design Centre and the renault. rethink strategy together signal Renault’s intent to evolve from a manufacturing-centric approach to a holistic, innovation-led model that places India at the centre of its global mobility roadmap.
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