750 units dispatched from Chennai as Renault strengthens India’s role in its global export strategy
Chennai, June 22, 2026: Renault India has officially commenced exports of the all-new Renault Duster, with the first shipment of 750 vehicles departing from Chennai port for South Africa. The export programme marks a significant milestone for the French automaker’s operations in India and reinforces the country’s growing importance within Renault Group’s global manufacturing and export network.
The all-new Duster becomes one of the key products in Renault India’s international portfolio, with additional export destinations expected to be added in the coming months. The development aligns with Renault Group’s broader “futuREady” strategy, aimed at enhancing India’s role as a strategic hub for manufacturing, engineering, and exports.
Speaking on the occasion, Stephane Deblaise, CEO of Renault Group India, said the start of exports for the new Duster validates the quality, capability, and competitiveness of Renault’s Chennai operations.
“The start of exports of the all-new Duster is an important moment for Renault India and a strong validation of the quality, capabilities, and competitiveness of our operations in Chennai. It reflects the progress we have made in building India into an integral part of Renault’s global industrial footprint,” Deblaise said.
He further emphasized India’s potential as a global automotive export base, citing its world-class manufacturing ecosystem, engineering expertise, scalability, and evolving logistics infrastructure.
“India possesses all the fundamentals required to emerge as a leading automotive export hub. As Renault continues to expand its international footprint, India will play an increasingly strategic role in our future plans. We remain committed to contributing to the country’s manufacturing ambitions and are working towards our objective of generating €2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030,” he added.
The all-new Duster is particularly significant as it is the first Renault model in India to be underpinned by the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), a flexible architecture capable of accommodating multiple powertrain technologies. The SUV has also secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating across all variants and powertrain options, highlighting its strong safety credentials for both domestic and international markets.
Manufactured at Renault India’s facility in Oragadam, Chennai, the new Duster is expected to play a pivotal role in the company’s growth strategy. The plant has an annual production capacity of 480,000 units and serves as a key manufacturing base for Renault’s operations in the region.
With exports now underway, the all-new Duster further strengthens India’s position as a global production and export hub while supporting Renault’s long-term vision of expanding its international presence through locally manufactured vehicles.
