Renault Launches New Design Hub in Chennai to Reinforce Commitment to Indian Market!

In a significant move to strengthen its presence in India, Renault India has officially inaugurated its new design studio in Chennai, marking a pivotal step in the company’s ongoing ‘renault.rethink’ initiative. The facility, which spans 1,500 square meters, is Renault’s largest design hub outside of its home base in France, and underscores the company’s strategic focus on tailoring vehicles specifically for Indian customers while also contributing to global design endeavors.

The new design center is built to harness local insights and blend them with Renault’s European aesthetics to create vehicles that align with the preferences and needs of Indian consumers. Equipped with cutting-edge virtual reality tools and an advanced LED display system, the facility is designed to help the team conceptualize and develop innovative mobility solutions with a focus on the Indian market.

Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer at Renault Group, emphasized the importance of this new studio in Renault’s strategy, saying, “A design center rooted in India gives us the perspective needed to truly connect with local preferences and shape mobility solutions from the ground up. This is where local insights meet global innovation.”

The studio in Chennai is not only intended to develop vehicles specifically for India but will also contribute to Renault’s global design efforts. The facility will provide the company with valuable insights into the Indian consumer’s preferences, enabling Renault to design cars that are more culturally relevant and suitable for the Indian market, where the automotive landscape is evolving rapidly.

This move follows Renault’s recent announcement of acquiring full control of RNAIPL, a manufacturing plant it co-owns with its alliance partner, which further strengthens Renault’s foothold in India. The design center also coincides with an ongoing revamp of Renault’s dealership network in India, part of its broader strategy to reposition the brand globally.

Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO and Managing Director of Renault India Operations, commented on the launch, stating, “This marks a new phase for Renault in India. We’ve built a strong local foundation—from R&D and manufacturing to supply chain and design—and this design center reinforces our identity as the most Indian of European automakers.”

To celebrate the launch, Renault unveiled a conceptual art piece titled ‘renault.rethink’, which represents the brand’s future design philosophy tailored specifically for India. This new design approach aims to enhance vehicle performance, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, while also contributing to sustainability goals.

Renault has been a key player in India’s automotive sector since it entered the market in 2005, initially setting up its operations in Mumbai. The company now boasts a robust workforce of nearly 10,000 engineers at its R&D facility in Chennai, working on projects that span both domestic and global markets. This design center is a significant addition to Renault’s Indian operations, supporting its commitment to “Make in India” with nearly 90% localization in production processes.

The company’s financial performance in 2024 was also noteworthy, with an operating profit of €4.3 billion and revenues of €56.2 billion, marking a 7.4% increase from the previous year. This success reflects Renault’s strong position in the market and its continued investment in India as a key pillar of its global strategy.

Renault’s new design hub in Chennai represents a major milestone in the company’s journey to better serve the Indian market, while also positioning itself as a key player in global automotive innovation. By leveraging local insights and combining them with its European expertise, Renault aims to offer products that are not only tailored to Indian needs but also aligned with global trends, driving the company’s growth in the world’s largest automotive market.