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Renault, a leading automobile constructor, is opening a new design center in India. The company had net sales of $2.64bn in 2024, with 89.9% coming from vehicle sales and 10.2% from services. The group had 25 industrial sites worldwide and a geographical sales distribution of 29.9% in France, 49.8% in Europe, and 3.9% in Asia/Pacific.

Renault, a prominent automobile manufacturer, has inaugurated a new design center in India, marking a significant strategic move in its global operations. The facility, located at Renault's Technology & Business Centre outside Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is the company's second-largest design studio globally, following its flagship facility in Paris.

The new Renault Design Centre Chennai (RDCC) spans over 1,500 square meters and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including virtual reality setups, an 8.5x2.4m LED wall for 1:1 size design display, and virtual collaboration terminals for real-time co-designing with other studios [1]. The center will design cars not only for the Indian market but also for Europe and other markets, reflecting Renault's ambition to leverage India's design talent pool.

Renault's aggressive push into the Indian market is evident in its ambitious target of achieving annual sales of half-a-million vehicles by 2030, more than 12 times the current level [2]. This target aims to capture a larger market share and achieve profitability in India, where the company has had a manufacturing presence for 15 years. The company plans to launch four new SUVs and two electric cars over the next few years, following the rollout of refreshed versions of its compact SUV, Kiger, and seven-seater, Triber, starting from July.

The new design center is part of Renault's broader strategy to integrate French and Indian design cultures, as symbolized by the 'Rethink' sculpture unveiled during the center's inauguration [1]. The sculpture combines traditional and digital design techniques, reflecting Renault's commitment to innovation and cultural integration.

Renault's push into the Indian market also coincides with the country's ongoing free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union. The company sees this as an opportunity to export mass-market cars and auto parts to the EU from India, leveraging its competitive advantage in component manufacturing [2].

References:

[1] https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/new-renault-india-design-studio-is-its-largest-outside-of-europe-435162
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-22/renault-aims-500-000-yearly-india-sales-by-2030-in-revival-plan