Renault Cars

Key Highlights of Renault Cars

About Renault

History:

Founded by Louis Renault and his brothers, Renault is a French automaker established in 1898. 

Renault came to India in 2005, but it wasn’t until 2007 that it launched its first car in the country, the Renault Logan. In 2010, the Renault-Nissan alliance set up a manufacturing facility in Chennai, which was completed in a record 21 months, and is capable of producing 480,000 vehicles annually. Renault has more than 525 sales and 530 service touchpoints in India, including 250+ Workshop On Wheels or mobile workshops across the country.

The French marque also has a prestigious motorsport heritage - not only is it one of the handful brands to compete in Formula 1, it’s also one of the most decorated ones; winning two constructors' and drivers' championships, while as an engine manufacturer it has 12 constructors' and 11 drivers' championships.

Product portfolio:

Renault India is known for its competitive pricing, offering budget-friendly cars that cater to the masses. Currently, it has three cars in its line-up: Kwid, Triber and Kiger. 

Hatchback: Launched back in 2015, the Kwid took the market by a storm. It was the first SUV-styled entry-level hatchback in the Indian market at the time. But with changing consumer preferences, the entry-level hatchback segment seems to be losing its sheen and despite numerous additions and variations, the Kwid’s dominance has seen a downfall.

Sub-compact SUV: The Kiger is Renault’s offering in the crowded sub-compact SUV segment comprising the Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, and even the Tata Punch micro SUV among others.

People mover: Renault’s sub-4m crossover MPV, the Triber, was launched in 2019. With modular seating options, the MPV is best suited for those wanting a versatile and budget-friendly seven-seater.

Greatest Hits:

In February 2022, Renault announced that it has sold over 8 lakh cars in India - a milestone that can be attributed to three of its most popular models mentioned below: 

Renault Duster: A rugged, value packed offering with a high ground clearance, powerful engine options and good ride quality. Sadly, Renault has discontinued the Duster after almost 10 years since it was first introduced.

Renault Kwid: A budget friendly, feature-loaded hatchback that is perfectly suited for the Indian roads. No wonder, the Kwid makes up for 50% of Renault’s sales in India, having sold over 4 lakh units! 

Renault Triber: A sub-compact seven-seater offering with very aggressive pricing and decent set of features. Renault has sold over 1 lakh units of the Triber in India and to celebrate its success, also launched a limited-edition Triber LE in February 2022.

Future Plans:

As with all major carmakers across the globe, Renault too plans on going electric. The EV portfolio for the carmaker could commence with a locally manufactured EV, likely to be an electric iteration of the Kwid in the near future. We are also keeping our fingers crossed in the hope that Renault considers bringing the new-gen Duster to India!