Renault India Private Limited Explained

Renault India Private Limited
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Automotive
Products:Automobiles
Key People:Venkatram Mamillapalle
(Managing director)
Parent:Renault
Slogan:Passion for life
Location:Chennai, India

Renault India Private Limited is a fully owned subsidiary of Renault, France. It currently offers three models in the Indian market: budget car Kwid,[1] the compact MPV Triber and the compact SUV Kiger.

History

In February 2008, Renault-Nissan Alliance signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Tamil Nadu to set up a manufacturing plant in Oragadam near Chennai.[2] Work on the plant began in June of the same year, and was completed in 21 months. Renault Design India was the first vehicle design studio set up by a foreign manufacturer in India. It was established in Mumbai in September 2008. The design house is integral to Renault's operations in India. One of its functions is to monitor customer trends and customize global products for India. At the end of 2015, Renault had approximately 200 dealerships across India, from only 14 in 2012.[3]

The Renault Duster received more awards than any other car brand in India between 2012 and 2015. The Renault Duster received 29 awards in India, and the Renault company 34 awards.[4]

Operations & Sales

In September 2008, Renault India opened its fifth global vehicle design studio in Mumbai.[5]

In March 2010, Renault India and Nissan India opened a production facility in Chennai,[6] which was established with an initial investment of Rs 45 billion (US$990 million). The plant has a combined annual capacity to produce 480,000 vehicles.[7]

As of September 2015, Renault India had 175[8] dealerships in 16 cities across 9 states and 2 Union Territories, targeting 210 outlets at the end of 2015. It expanded to 190 dealerships in December 2015.[3] Its expansion was attributed to the success of the Renault Kwid. Renault also developed virtual showrooms and some specific phone apps. As at 2015, Renault had 270 dealership across India.[8]

Calendar YearSales
20111406
201235157
201364368
201444849
201553419
2016132235
2017112489
201882368
201988869
202089534

Models

Current models

ModelIndian introductionCurrent model
Introduction Update (facelift)
Hatchback
Kwid201520152019
SUV/crossover
Kiger20212021
MPV
Triber20192019

The Kwid is Renault's first sub Rs 4 lakh segment car (earlier codenamed XBA). It was fully developed in India by Gérard Detourbet and his French and Indian team. The Economic Times called it "the best in class".[9] [10] [11]

Discontinued models

ModelReleasedDiscontinuedImage
Fluence20112017
Koleos20112017
Pulse20122018
Duster20122022
Scala20122018
Lodgy20152020
(Dacia Lodgy pictured)
Captur20172020

Milestones

2008

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

The Kwid, based on the CMF-A platform, measures 3,679 mm in length, 1,579 mm in width, 1,478 mm in height and 2,422 mm in wheelbase. It has a ground clearance of 180 mm and a fuel tank capacity of 28-litre.

Features seen on the top-end variant include power steering, AC, front power windows, foglights, keyless entry and central locking, a 7-inch touchscreen MediaNAV system with Bluetooth, USB, AUX-in, an optional driver airbag and some design customizations.

2023

2024

Associations

Spellinc

Renault India's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program commenced in 2013, focusing on education and road safety. It partnered with Linc Pen & Plastics Ltd for SPELLINC. The program started in September 2013 and ran until December across 8 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmadabad, Jamshedpur and Ranchi) with a total of 1000 schools participating. The training module on road safety has been developed to be fun and interactive. It involves stage acts, singing and discussions with the students,[18] with the aim of the operation to reach students and to convert them into Road Safety ambassadors.[19]

Tour De India

Renault India supported the Tour De India 2013, a cycling event held for the first time in 2012. Tour de India 2013 was held in December with 3 races involving both competitive and entertaining cycling. Renault India was the Official Automobile Partner for the event, providing cars for the lead convoy, for the cycling teams and the Tour de India fleet in charge of recording the event.[20]

Cricket

Renault sponsored a cricket series between India and Sri Lanka(2012) and Virat Kohli won the Man of the Series Award – a Renault Duster. The Indian cricket team was taken for a victory lap around the stadium with Mahendra Singh Dhoni(MS Dhoni) behind the wheel of the Renault Duster. The entire cricket team was seen on the SUV while taking the victory lap.[21]

MRF Challenge

Renault cars compete in the Formula 2000 category of the MRF Challenge. The 20 cars of the category are also powered by Renault Sport 2-litre engines. These 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 1998cc F4R 832 engines can produce a maximum power of 210 bhp at 6,500rpm and maximum torque of 220 Nm at 5500rpm.[22]

Limca Record – Renault Scala’s Mileage Run

The Renault Scala broke the Limca record for the highest fuel economy achieved in India using a stock car by achieving a real world economy of 54.15 km/L in an un-modified Renault Scala diesel sedan. The car covered the 62.28 km distance using only 1.24 litres, achieving a fuel economy of 54.15 km/L, which is 250.26% over ARAI certified figure. The distance was covered in 76 minutes.[23]

Notes and References

  1. News: Renault set to launch new version of 'Kwid'. Press Trust of India. The Hindu. 2017-03-09. en.
  2. Web site: The Renault Nissan Alliance inaugurates plant in Chennai, India. https://web.archive.org/web/20131102095645/http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100317-01-e.html. dead. 2 November 2013.
  3. News: 24 November 2015 . Renault opens 190th dealership in India . International Business Times . 19 October 2015 . The company now has 52 showrooms in South India, besides 37 service-only outlets. Renault plans to open 240 dealerships and service facilities in India by 2016..
  4. News: Renault Duster bags most awards in India . FT daily . 19 October 2015 . Renault India has received an unprecedented number of honours from the local media", including being voted "Car Manufacturer of the Year", while "Duster has been named Car of the Year by most Indian media.
  5. Web site: Renault design studio inaugurated in Mumbai. News On Projects.
  6. News: Renault Introduces Koleos SUV in India. The Wall Street Journal. 8 September 2011. Anirban. Chowdhury. 8 September 2011.
  7. Web site: 13 March 2022 . Where are car factories in India? . 24 December 2022 . Motor Octane . Nissan-Renault has its manufacturing plant in Oragadam near Chennai. The plant has a capacity of 4,80,000 vehicles per annum. The capacity is divided equally between Nissan & Renault..
  8. News: Renault Kwid receives over 25,000 bookings within 2 weeks since launch, over 40% of buyers are below 28 y.o. The Renault Kwid is "sold across 175 outlets across the country (which will be expanded 210 before the end of 2015), the company had experimented with a product specific App and virtual showrooms to reach out to the customers where there are no showrooms. The company claims that over 2,30,000 people have downloaded the Kwid App, which enables the consumer to not only understand the product better but also making a booking through an App.". The Economic Times. 7 October 2015. 19 October 2015.
  9. News: 5 reasons why Renault Kwid will be a game changer. a mileage of 25.17kmpl, which is not just the best-in-class... At 300 litres, Renault Kwid once again takes the lead in its segment. The Kwid also has the best-in-class length at 3,679mm and width at 1,579 mm, which means better interior space, legroom, and headroom... Kwid is the best choice with a class-leading ground clearance of 180mm... Renault surprised the industry with an aggressive price tag starting at Rs 2.26 lakh.... The Economic Times. 7 October 2015. 19 October 2015.
  10. News: Renault India gets over 50,000 bookings for small car Kwid. The Economic Times. 30 October 2015. 30 October 2015.
  11. News: Renault India Registers 144% Growth in November. Renault Kwid has received about 70,000 bookings. Word also has it that the Renault Kwid has already grabbed 10% share in the entry-level hatchback segment.. The Economic Times. 1 December 2015. 5 December 2015.
  12. Web site: Renault design studio inaugurated in Mumbai. Renault India.
  13. Web site: Renault Unveils Micra-Based Pulse Supermini for the Indian Market. Retrieved on 1 November 2011.
  14. Web site: Renault plans big for India, to launch Pulse, Duster by December. The Economic Times,6 Jan 2012.
  15. Web site: Renault announces 'Gang of Dusters' initiative. Autocar India, 16 August 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130821201521/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Autos/HTAuto-TopStories/Renault-announces-Gang-of-Dusters-initiative/Article1-1108880.aspx. 21 August 2013.
  16. News: Renault Duster Adventure edition returns; priced from Rs 9.64 lakh. The Hindu. 2017-03-09. en.
  17. Web site: Renault Nissan to announce launch of 6 new models tomorrow. Autocar India.
  18. Web site: LINC PENS Presents Renault Spelling Word Cracking. Retrieved from Projects Jugaad.
  19. Web site: SPELLINC 2014 -Chennai Finals. Retrieved from PSBB Schools.
  20. Web site: Godrej Eon Tour De India. Retrieved on 13 November 2013.
  21. Web site: Virat Kohli takes home Renault Duster SUV after winning 'Man of the Series' title in Sri Lanka. Oncars. India. 7 August 2012. India News, Breaking News | India.com.
  22. Web site: MRF launches Formula 2000 single-seater racer - IBNLive . ibnlive.in.com . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140515053433/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mrf-launches-formula-2000-singleseater-racer/285337-25.html . 15 May 2014 . dead.
  23. Web site: Renault Scala Mileage Run: Over 5000km, 10 days, 2 records - . www.gaadi.com . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130829230431/http://www.gaadi.com/auto-reviews/renault-scala-mileage-run-over-5000km-10-days-2-records . 29 August 2013 . dead.