Renault India Private Limited


Renault India Pvt Ltd
Subsidiary
Industry Automotive
Founded October 2005
Founder Louis Renault
Marcel Renault
Fernand Renault
Headquarters Chennai, India
Key people
Mr. Sumit Sawhney, CEO & MD[1]
Products Automobiles
Parent Renault S.A.
Website www.renault.co.in

Renault India Pvt Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renault S.A., France and currently offers six models in the Indian market – the premium sedans Scala and the Fluence, the luxury SUV Koleos, the SUV Duster, the compact MPV Lodgy and the premium compact car, Pulse. Renault India also exports the Duster to a growing number of right-hand drive markets.

Renault cars are manufactured at the manufacturing facility located in Oragadam, Chennai, with a capacity of 480,000 units pa. Currently, Renault India also has 130 dealer outlets across the country.

History

In February 2008, Renault-Nissan Alliance signs Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Tamil Nadu to set up a manufacturing plant in Oragadam near Chennai.[2] Work on the plant began in June later that year and was completed in a record 21 months. Renault Design India, the first vehicle design studio set up by a foreign manufacturer in India, was established in Mumbai in September 2008. The design house is integral to Renault’s success in India as one of its functions is to monitor customer trends and customise global products for India.

Operations

In September 2008, Renault India opened its fifth global vehicle design studio in Mumbai.[3]

In March 2010, Renault India and Nissan India opened a production facility in Chennai.[4] Established with an initial investment of Rs 45 billion (US$750 million), the plant has a combined annual capactity to produce 480,000 vehicles.[5]

As of May 2014, Renault India has 130 dealerships in 16 cities across 9 states and 2 Union Territories.[6]

Models

Renault sales commenced in May 2011 with the Fluence sedan. This was followed in September by the Koleos SUV.[4] In 2012 Renault launched three further models; the Pulse hatchback in January, the Duster in July 2012, and the Scala in August 2012. In 2014, aside from the launch of the all-new Fluence and Koleos, Renault also launched the Duster Adventure Edition. Renault launched Lodgy, its compact MPV in Delhi on 9 April 2015.

Milestones

2008

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Associations

ICICI Bank

Renault has partnered with ICICI bank in a major marketing led cross promotional campaign that will allow the bank's database to interact with Renault and its cars.

Spellinc

Renault India' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program commenced in 2013, focussing on education and road safety. It partnered with Linc Pen & Plastics Ltd for SPELLINC. The program started in September 2013 and ran until December across 8 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmadabad, Jamshedpur and Ranchi) with a total of 1000 schools participating. The training module on road safety has been developed to be fun and interactive. It involved stage acts, singing and discussions with the students.[11] The whole point of the operation is not only to reach students but to convert them into Road Safety ambassadors spreading the message to their schoolmates, friends and relatives.[12]

Tour De India

Renault India supported the Tour De India 2013, a cycling event held for the first time in 2012. The organizers are also strongly committed to promoting cycling as an alternative mobility solution to reduce carbon footprint. Tour de India 2013 was held in December with 3 races involving both competitive and entertaining cycling. Renault India was the Official Automobile Partner for the event, providing cars for the lead convoy, for the cycling teams and the Tour de India fleet in charge of recording the event.[13]

Cricket

Renault sponsored a cricket series between India and Sri Lanka and Virat Kohli won the Man of the Series Award – a Renault Duster. The Indian cricket team was taken for a victory lap around the stadium with Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the wheel of the Renault Duster. The entire cricket team was seen on the SUV while taking the victory lap.[14]

Madras Café with John Abraham

Renault India formed a partnership with Renault Duster and John Abraham’s movie ‘Madras Café’.

MRF Challenge

Renault cars compete in the Formula 2000 category of the MRF Challenge. The 20 cars of the category are also powered by Renault Sport 2-litre engines. These 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 1998cc F4R 832 engines can produce a maximum power of 210 bhp at 6,500rpm and maximum torque of 220 Nm at 5500rpm.[15]

F1 Caterham Paint Shop

The Renault workshop at Noida received a special assignment during the 2013 Airtel Indian Grand Prix, painting two Caterham F1® chassis before the Grand Prix. This routine procedure is usually completed in Europe but logistical challenges made it easier for it to be carried out in India instead.[16]

Autocar Performance Show

Renault India participated in the Autocar Performance Show held at the MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. It is the third time that the Renault brand was represented in the show. This event is organized by the leading Automobile magazine Autocar and features the most powerful and expensive cars and bikes available in the country as well as accessories and performance enhancing parts.[17]

Limca Record – Renault Scala’s Mileage Run

The Renault Scala broke the Limca record for the highest fuel economy achieved in India using a stock car by achieving a real world economy of 54.15 km/l in an un-modified Renault Scala diesel sedan. The car covered the 62.28 km distance using only 1.24 litres, achieving a fuel economy of 54.15 km/l, which is 250.26% over ARAI certified figure. The distance was covered in 76 minutes.[18]

References

  1. Sumit Sawhney appointed as CEO and MD of Renault India
  2. The Renault Nissan Alliance inaugurates plant in Chennai, India
  3. Renault Design Studio Inaugurated in Mumbai
  4. 4.0 4.1 Chowdhury, Anirban (8 September 2011). "Renault Introduces Koleos SUV in India". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  5. "Renault Milestones in India". Renault India Private Limited. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  6. Find Renault Dealers
  7. "Renault design studio inaugurated in Mumbai". Renault India.
  8. "Renault Unveils Micra-Based Pulse Supermini for the Indian Market". Retrieved on 1 November 2011.
  9. "Renault plans big for India, to launch Pulse, Duster by December". The Economic Times,6 Jan 2012.
  10. "Renault announces 'Gang of Dusters' initiative". Autocar India, 16 August 2013.
  11. "LINC PENS Presents Renault Spelling Word Cracking". Retrieved from Projects Jugaad.
  12. "SPELLINC 2014 -Chennai Finals". Retrieved from PSBB Schools.
  13. "Godrej Eon Tour De India". Retrieved on 13 November 2013.
  14. http://www.oncars.in/car-news/virat-kohli-takes-home-renault-duster-suv-after-winning-man-of-the-series-in-sri-lanka/2824
  15. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mrf-launches-formula-2000-singleseater-racer/285337-25.html
  16. http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-cd/renault-india-contended-a-special-workshop-on-f1-chassis-painting-113102500333_1.html
  17. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/autocar-performance-show-inaugurated_366294.html
  18. http://www.gaadi.com/auto-reviews/renault-scala-mileage-run-over-5000km-10-days-2-records