Renault Begins Export of Made-in-India Duster SUV, First Batch Shipped to South Africa

The Indian division of the French automaker Renault has commenced exports of the all-new Duster SUV from India. Sharing this update the automaker shared that the export of ‘Made-in-India’ Duster has begun from India. The first batch of 750 vehicles were shipped from Chennai, bound for South Africa. The export rollout marks the return of the Duster to Renault India's export portfolio and reinforces the company's plans to position India as a key manufacturing hub for global markets. This move also aligns with the Indian government’s vision of making India a global hub for automotive production.

The details shared by Renault India indicates that the South African shipment is the first export consignment of the new-generation Duster, with Renault confirming that additional international markets will be added over the coming months as production ramps up.

The latest Duster is the first Renault model in India to be based on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), which has been developed to support multiple powertrain options. The SUV has also received a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating across all variants and powertrain combinations.

For South Africa and other export markets, Renault will ship the India-spec version of the SUV. The model features Duster branding integrated into the front grille along with market-specific styling elements. Renault has also confirmed that select units of the Iconic Launch Edition form part of the first shipment.

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The commencement of exports comes as Renault expands production of the SUV in Chennai. The company is also preparing to introduce the Duster E-Tech hybrid in several markets, further broadening the model's global appeal.

With exports now underway, the new-generation Duster is set to play a significant role in Renault's international strategy while strengthening India's position within the group's global manufacturing and export network.

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.”

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Stephane Deblaise further added that, “India possesses all the fundamentals required to emerge as a leading automotive export hub: world-class manufacturing capabilities, engineering talent, scale, and a rapidly evolving logistics ecosystem. As Renault continues to expand its international footprint, India will play an increasingly strategic role in our future plans. We remain committed to contributing to the country’s manufacturing ambitions and are working towards our objective of generating €2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030.”