Chennai: Renault India has begun global exports of the all-new Duster, with the first shipment of 750 vehicles leaving Chennai for South Africa, marking the start of the SUV’s export programme from India.
The company said the shipment is the first step in a wider international rollout, with additional markets planned in the coming months. For Renault India, the move also signals a larger role for the country in Renault Group’s global manufacturing and export network.
The all-new Duster’s export debut comes as Renault India works to strengthen the country’s position as a manufacturing, engineering and export hub under the company’s “futuREady” strategy. Chennai, already an important base for Renault’s India operations, now has another global assignment on its hands — and this one comes with a passport.
Commenting on this Occasion, Stephane Deblaise, CEO of Renault Group India, said,
“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.”
“India possesses all the fundamentals required to emerge as a leading automotive export hub: world-class manufacturing capabilities, engineering talent, scale, and a rapidly evolving logistics ecosystem. 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.”
The all-new Duster is the first Renault vehicle in India to be built on the Renault Group Modular Platform, or RGMP. The architecture is designed to support multiple powertrain technologies, giving the SUV flexibility for different market requirements.
Renault also said the new Duster has secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating across all variants and powertrains, a factor that strengthens its positioning for both the Indian market and overseas destinations.
The start of exports is significant not only for Renault India but also for India’s broader automotive manufacturing ambitions. As global carmakers look to diversify production and supply chains, the Duster’s journey from Chennai to South Africa places India more firmly on Renault’s international production map.
