Bigger Role in Global Design Inputs
The Renault-Nissan alliance is looking to go big in India, with Renault leading the charge. One of the first steps it has taken in this new journey is to open a new design centre outside Chennai to supply inputs and development to the French automaker’s global efforts. The design centre, while new in its skin and resources, is a decade old and has already contributed to the development of new core Renault models like the 4 EV and the 5 EV.
At the top of the chain of design centres is Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s Chief Design Officer (Top left). He was in India to inaugurate the design centre and also unveil the renault.rethink high-tech sculpture. Despite Renault’s somewhat muted response, the piece hints at the next-gen Duster. The SUV is a part of the automaker’s new lineup that will arrive over the course of the next two years, something that we have detailed in a separate story.
Speaking to CarWale, he said that in addition to contributing to design elements, Renault was also looking at India to contribute to software and AI development of its future models. The move to source software development from India shouldn’t come as a surprise, thanks to our vastly superior and cost-effective software industry, and also our ability to find solutions to loopholes or odd problems with regular ease.
More Features at an Affordable Cost?
However, he hinted that one of the biggest things to come out of India was unique packaging requirements for Indian buyers. He said, “As a market, we want more features but at an affordable price, and these learnings are expected to offer solutions for the same on a global level.”
One of the biggest examples of this ‘source from India’ is the sub-four-metre SUV design rules. Currently, two out of three Renault cars are big players here, and with each model, the automaker has benefited in terms of volumes. Renault has had to learn how to offer maximum features in a (global) sub-compact footprint, but with enough room and boot space to match the competition.” The automaker has said that while the majority of the Renault cars coming out of its Chennai factory are for India, it does see potential for exports to LHD markets from the sub-continent, and is exploring the potential for the same.
New India Lineup
The Renault family will be a five-model offering by 2027, with the list including the new Duster, Boreal three-row SUV, updates to the Kiger and the Triber, and a new premium EV.
