Renault India begins exports of the Duster, first shipment heads to South Africa

Renault India has started exporting the new Duster, with the first batch of 750 SUVs shipped from Chennai to South Africa.

Renault India has officially commenced global exports of the new Duster, marking a significant milestone in the company's strategy to position India as a key manufacturing and export hub within the Renault Group's global network.

The first export consignment comprising 750 units of the new-generation Duster departed from Chennai on June 22, destined for South Africa. Renault confirmed that this shipment marks the beginning of its export programme for the SUV, with additional international markets set to be added in the coming months.

The export rollout reinforces India's growing importance in Renault's global operations and aligns with the company's broader futuREady strategy, which aims to strengthen the country's role in manufacturing, engineering and exports.

Commenting on the development, Stephane Deblaise, CEO of Renault Group India, said, "The start of exports of the all-new Duster is an important moment for Renault India and a strong validation of the quality, capabilities, and competitiveness of our operations in Chennai. It reflects the progress we have made in building India into an integral part of Renault's global industrial footprint."

He further added that India possesses all the key ingredients required to emerge as a leading automotive export hub, including world-class manufacturing capabilities, engineering talent, production scale and an evolving logistics ecosystem. Renault is targeting annual exports worth €2 billion from India by 2030.

The new Duster is also a landmark product for Renault India as it is the first vehicle in the country to be based on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP). The flexible architecture is designed to support multiple powertrain technologies while meeting stringent safety and durability standards. Renault says the SUV has secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating across all variants and powertrain options.

In India, prices for the new Duster start at Rs 10.49 lakh and go up to Rs 18.49 lakh (ex-showroom). Deliveries of turbo-petrol variants are scheduled to begin in April 2026, while the Strong Hybrid E-Tech version is expected to arrive around the festive season later this year.

The SUV is offered exclusively with petrol-based powertrains in the Indian market. The entry-level variant is powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 100bhp and 160Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

Higher variants feature a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine generating 163hp and 280Nm, available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

At the top of the range sits Renault's Strong Hybrid E-Tech powertrain which will come around Diwali. The system combines a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and a hybrid starter generator. The setup is paired with an eight-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and draws power from a 1.4kWh battery pack. Renault claims the hybrid variant can operate in pure electric mode for up to 80 per cent of city driving, offering improved efficiency without compromising performance.

Built on the RGMP architecture, the new Duster has been engineered specifically for Indian conditions, with the platform designed to handle challenging road surfaces, extreme temperatures and stringent safety requirements while also supporting Renault's future electrification plans.

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