We are here to stay, says Renault India MD

The Hindu

4 days ago

French carmaker Renault India on Wednesday introduced the All-New Renault Triber, a 7-seater car priced starting ₹6,29,995 (ex-Showroom). The top most model is priced at ₹9.16 lakh.
This new generation family car has debuted with a completely redesigned front fascia and is equipped with 35 new features. This is the first ever product under the company's renault. rethink. brand transformation strategy. Three more new products would be introduced in two years to broad base product offering.
Venkatram Mamillapalle, Managing Director, Renault India, said, 'India remains a cornerstone of Renault's global strategy, driven by a strong product pipeline, expanding export operations, and a renewed focus on customer satisfaction.'
'The all-New Triber is also the first in India to feature Renault's new brand logo, symbolising the company's bold, modern direction and deep alignment with Indian aspirations,' he said.
'As a fully integrated operation with a manufacturing plant, R&D centre, and design studio based in India, Renault continues to develop and produce vehicles tailored specifically for Indian customers — truly by India, for India,' he said adding that the new Triber is over 90% localised, underscoring the company's long-term commitment to the Indian market.
The made in India Triber already has 1.84 lakh customers in the country and is exported to over a dozen countries around the world.
He said the introduction of the All-New Triber marked an important milestone in Renault's product renewal strategy, aimed at claiming its due position in the competitive Indian automobile market
In an interview with The Hindu, Mr. Mamillapalle said after deciding to take over 100% of the manufacturing plant in Chennai, the company now had design studio, engineering centre, manufacturing plant and commercial organisation together as Renault group in India.
'We are in the process of combining everything. It will take some more time but whenever we finish, at that time it will be one single organisation which will be in India, the large organisation which will be very similar to any of the Indian OEMs,' he said.
Recently the company launched the R stores which is the new showroom to provide new experience to customers.
'We have three more products to come within next two years. We will continue to work in India on a long-term basis. The most important thing for us is the capacity utilization of the plant. And with the partner Nissan, we are sure that we will be reaching to that level once the total industry volume goes up from current 4.3 to 6 million in future or 8 million in 2032,' he said.
On the rare earth issue worrying the automobile industry he said, 'As far as Renault India is concerned, absolutely no problem. We are not worried about rare earth at this part of time because we are secured. Globally, we are so wide and deep that our purchasing team has a lot of efficiency. I don't think we see a problem. Until the rare earth producer changes some policy, we don't see a threat.'
The Renault Group which has fixed problems in many of its global markets has now focused its attention on India where it currently holds about 1% of the market share.
'Now the focus is in India. The ₹5,400 crore of investment which we announced is part of the plan. The design studio in India, is second largest after France. We acquired the 100% of the plant [in Chennai], which shows that we have a plan. We have confidence in this market,' he added.
'We are here to stay. We are giving confidence. We have invested massively over a period of time, both money as well as time and resources. Now we are establishing ourselves as one single organization with tech center, design studio, manufacturing and commercial together,' he emphasised.
'And all these three put together will give us the right products at right time and at a right cost, which will definitely give us success. And we will work in this direction,' he stated.