Renault Kicks Off Duster Exports from India, Eyes €2 Billion Target by 2030

Renault Group India has officially begun exporting the all-new Duster SUV, with the first batch of 750 vehicles shipped from Chennai to South Africa. The move signals a deliberate push by the French automaker to position India as a critical manufacturing and export hub for its global operations.

The Duster is built at Renault's Oragadam plant in Tamil Nadu, a facility that benefits from the state's mature automotive ecosystem, skilled workforce, and strong export logistics infrastructure. The location is no coincidence Tamil Nadu has steadily emerged as one of India's most competitive automotive manufacturing corridors, attracting global players seeking both quality output and export connectivity.

What makes this launch particularly noteworthy is the platform underpinning the vehicle. The all-new Duster is the first Renault model produced in India on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP). The platform was localised and thoroughly validated within Tamil Nadu, with performance and durability testing conducted at the Madras International Circuit in Irungattukottai demonstrating a serious commitment to in-country engineering, not just assembly.

This export milestone is a concrete step toward Renault's broader ambition of generating €2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030. As the company continues to grow its international footprint, Tamil Nadu is expected to remain the cornerstone of that strategy reinforcing its standing as a global destination for automotive manufacturing, engineering excellence, and large-scale vehicle exports.