DRIVING AHEAD AROUND THE WORLD
What many don’t know is that Renault is a company of firsts. In the automotive world, it is a true pioneer. It invented the sedan way back in 1899. That’s not all. It invented the gearbox, the turbocharger, the hatchback and the MPV. Now that is really impressive. In fact, for the past 117 years, Renault has been revolutionising the automobile industry with its inventions and its stylish, comfortable and efficient cars. It has even achieved incredible success in the extremely competitive world of motorsport. Since 1977, Renault has powered through to win eleven drivers championships, twelve constructors titles and numerous wins at Formula One. Such was its success that in 2013, four teams out of twelve on the Formula One starting grid were powered by Renault engines. Has this reflected in how its products sell? Absolutely. But then, Renault cars have historically been bestsellers around the world. The strategic acquisitions Renault has made over the years like Dacia, Samsung Motors and Nissan have seen it become one of the most innovative companies in the world.
What about India?
Car manufacturers around the world know that India is a market like no other. What works well in multiple markets can flop painfully here. Renault knew this. It entered the market cautiously. Renault set up a technology and business centre at Chennai in 2009. In 2010, it set up a manufacturing facility. A year after that, the facility rolled out its 100,000th car. What’s interesting is that the production facility in Chennai has the capability to roll out 4,00,000 cars a year. A little under a year later, Renault unveiled
the Duster at the New Delhi Auto Expo 2012 and sent ripples through the auto industry. Six months later, when the Duster launched, the response it received from the Indian market was nothing short of phenomenal. Over the next couple of years, the Duster won several awards and still continues to sell in large numbers. Today, Renault has over 1.7 lakh satisfied customers and a strong network of over 200 dealerships across the country.
Strengthening the bond
Renault was looking for a symbol that would perfectly portray its confidence and commitment to the Indian market. This year, on its fourth anniversary, Renault announced India’s leading actor Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador. It marked the union of two iconic brands synonymous with passion, innovation, universal appeal and an illustrious and successful lineage. This was a perfect way to signal Renault’s next phase of growth in India.
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