The Man Behind The Platform For The Renault Kwid, Duster And Triber Is No More

• His recent role was as the managing director of the A2SDU -- the unit in charge of developing Renault-Nissan Alliance's CMF-A platform.
• Some of his notable contributions to the low-cost vehicle segments include the Logan, Sandero, Duster, Kwid, Triber and the City KZ-E.
• Around 35 per cent of Renault’s global sales come from low-cost vehicles.

Groupe Renault revealed the heartbreaking news that one of its key members, Gerard Detourbet, who fathered the CMF-A platform passed away aged 73 on December 5. He was the managing director of the A2SDU (Alliance A-Segment Development Unit) -- the unit in charge of developing Renault-Nissan Alliance's CMF-A platform. Gerard had a career of almost 50 years at Groupe Renault starting all the way back in 1971. He served as a key player in many of Renault’s projects.

 

He was famously known for supervising the development of Renault’s low-cost range of vehicles. Some of them include the Logan sedan in 2004, Sandero in 2007, Duster in 2010, Kwid in 2015 as well as the Triber. Gerard Detourbet was also involved in the development of the City KZ-E electric hatchback that was launched in China and could make its way to India soon. 

All of these low-cost range of vehicles paid dividends as the carmaker revealed that Gerard Detourbet’s efforts have resulted in up to 36 per cent of the Renault group’s global sales being solely its low-cost vehicles.  

While this news comes as a big hit to the carmaker’s CMF-A platform, it is highly unlikely that the platform will disappear anytime soon. The carmaker is slated to introduce a sub-4 metre SUV codenamed the HBC, at the Auto Expo 2020. Expect the new SUV to take on the likes of the Hyundai Venue. Besides, the carmaker could also bring a Maruti Suzuki Dzire sedan rival at the expo. Both vehicles are likely to be built on the same CMF-A+ platform as the Renault Triber.

Gerard Detourbet’s contributions to the Renault group should give the carmaker enough confidence to continue bringing more future vehicles on the CMF-A platform as close to his vision as possible.