Renault India has commenced its export journey with the compact SUV Duster.
Around 350 units of Duster, manufactured at the Renault-Nissan joint facility, set sail from the Ennore port (near Chennai) to the right-hand drive markets of the UK and Ireland.
The manufacturing facility at Oragadam, near Chennai, is the only facility globally to produce the right-hand drive Duster.
This facility will be the exclusive hub for right-hand drive markets, said Marc Nassif, Managing Director, Renault India, the fully-owned subsidiary of Renault.
In the UK, the model will be sold as Dacia Duster, marking the entry of the Dacia brand in the UK. Dacia is a Romanian brand which Renault acquired in 1999.
The ‘masala’ in Dacia Duster (4x2 and 4x4 variants) is slightly different from the Duster in India, said Nassif.
“Certain tweaks have been made in the colours, interiors and fabrics to suit the taste of the UK. There are also other changes to conform to European safety and emissions norms.” The Duster was launched in India in July, since then 19,000 units have been sold.
“This is far above our initial plan. A new segment is opening in the market and Duster is adding a lot of excitement. Hopefully, it will do the same for the UK market,” said Nassif.
The company is also assessing other right-hand drive markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa.
While exports help add volumes to the Oragadam plant and to part suppliers, the domestic market will remain the focus for Renault, said Nassif.
“India will enter the top 10 markets for Renault next year, in terms of sales. It will enter the top 3 by 2020.”