Renault Group accelerates India vision with sole ownership of Chennai plant

Renault Group has taken a decisive stride in its international expansion strategy, cementing its commitment to India—now the third-largest automotive market in the world—by acquiring the remaining 51% stake in Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Limited (RNAIPL) from Nissan. This landmark transaction positions Renault Group as the sole proprietor of the Chennai-based plant, one of the country’s most respected automotive manufacturing hubs.

As part of its broader ambition to transform India into a major industrial and innovation base, the Chennai plant will now be fully consolidated within Renault Group’s global financial structure. The acquisition follows a series of strategic milestones, including the inauguration of Renault Group’s largest design centre outside France earlier this year, and the launch of the New Renault Triber—set to spearhead a new product onslaught encompassing four forthcoming models.

India plays a vital role in Renault Group’s International Game Plan 2027, which aims to significantly enhance the brand’s global presence through agile industrial operations and customer-centric vehicle design. With over half of India’s population under the age of 28 and a rapidly modernising mobility landscape, the country offers both scale and dynamism to automotive players willing to invest long-term.

The Chennai facility, operational since 2010, has to date produced more than 2.8 million vehicles—including 1.2 million units for export across more than 100 countries—as well as 4.6 million engines and gearboxes. With a current annual production capacity exceeding 400,000 units, the plant is powered by an extensive local supplier ecosystem comprising nearly 300 partners.

Currently dedicated to the CMF-A and CMF-A+ platforms, the site is being readied to host Renault’s forthcoming ultra-flexible, multi-energy modular architecture—setting the stage for the next generation of models tailored for both domestic and international markets.

In parallel, the Renault brand continues to benefit from a leading engineering centre in India, co-owned with Nissan, which remains instrumental in the development and localisation of vehicles across a range of global markets. Notably, despite the structural shift, the Chennai plant will continue to manufacture Nissan models as originally planned, signalling ongoing collaboration between the two manufacturers.

To support the Group’s next chapter in India, Stéphane Deblaise will assume the role of CEO, Renault Group India, effective 1st September 2025. Deblaise brings with him a wealth of international experience and a comprehensive understanding of the Group’s value chain—credentials that will be vital in executing Renault’s long-term regional vision.

François Provost, CEO of Renault Group, remarked: “India is a key market for Renault Group. Over the past 14 years, we have successfully established the Renault brand thanks to our dedicated teams and partners, reaching peak sales of over 100,000 vehicles sold per year. India also plays a vital role in our global R&D footprint. With full ownership of our plant in Chennai, we now have all the means to accelerate in India. Stéphane Deblaise, with his strong international experience and deep knowledge across our entire value chain, is ideally positioned to design and implement our strategy in the region.”

With over 350 sales outlets and 450 service points across India, Renault is poised to leverage its growing network to expand market share, deepen its product portfolio and amplify exports—firmly establishing the country as a strategic pillar in its global automotive narrative.