Renault India has officially opened its new design studio in Chennai, a key part of its broader push to reinvent its presence in the country under the ‘renault.rethink’ initiative. Spanning 1,500 square meters, this is the automaker’s largest design facility outside of France.
The new studio is dedicated to developing vehicles specifically for Indian customers, while also contributing to global design efforts. Outfitted with cutting-edge virtual reality tools and an advanced LED display system, the center aims to blend European aesthetics with Indian cultural context and consumer expectations.
“A design center rooted in India gives us the perspective needed to truly connect with local preferences and shape mobility solutions from the ground up,” said Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group. “This is where local insights meet global innovation.”
The move follows Renault’s recent announcement to acquire full control of RNAIPL, the manufacturing plant it co-owns with its alliance partner. It also coincides with an ongoing revamp of the company’s dealership network in India, in line with its new global brand direction.
Commenting on the milestone, Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO and Managing Director of Renault India Operations, said, “This marks a new phase for Renault in India. We’ve built a strong local foundation—from R&D and manufacturing to supply chain and design—and this design center reinforces our identity as the most Indian of European automakers.”
To celebrate the launch, Renault revealed a conceptual art piece titled ‘renault.rethink’, which encapsulates the brand’s future design philosophy tailored for India.
Renault first entered the Indian market in 2005, originally setting up operations in Mumbai. Today, its R&D facility in Chennai employs close to 10,000 engineers working on both domestic and global projects.
The investment in local capabilities comes on the heels of Renault Group’s strong financial performance in 2024, with an operating profit of €4.3 billion and revenues of €56.2 billion, a 7.4% jump from the previous year.
Across India, Renault currently operates about 350 sales points and 450 service centers, including 210 mobile workshops. The company has also achieved nearly 90% localization in its production processes, highlighting its commitment to “Make in India.”
With India now ranking as the third-largest car market globally, Renault’s expanded presence positions it to better serve a fast-growing, value-driven customer base, while aligning itself more closely with local needs and expectations.
