In April 2025, Renault India launched its largest design centre outside France in Chennai—marking the formal start of its “renault. rethink” transformation, aligned with the parent company’s International Gameplan 2027. The company is shifting beyond manufacturing, positioning India as a center for global design and innovation
- The 1,500 m² facility is centered around a new design philosophy, dubbed “Tactile Confluence”, blending modern European aesthetics with Indian cultural motifs.
- The studio includes advanced digital technologies: immersive VR spaces, a powerful LED wall for visualisation, and collaborative creative zones to streamline ideation and design workflows
Renault also unveiled an artistic sculpture named ‘renault. rethink’, created by local designers. This dynamic installation symbolizes innovation, creativity, and the brand’s renewed philosophy, visually embodying their transformation vision
🏬 Retail Evolution: Introducing the “new’R Store” Concept
Renault India’s rebranding extends through its retail ‘touchpoints’:
- In February 2025, Renault unveiled the first global new’R Store showroom in Ambattur, Chennai, featuring the firm’s refreshed 2D logo, sleek black facade, and modern interiors
- This showroom layout prioritizes:
- A central vehicle display area for 360‑degree viewing.
- Dual-tone aesthetics, urban lighting, premium seating.
- Customer service zones integrated within the showroom perimeter for seamless experience
- By May 2025, Renault launched their second new’R Store in Kandivali, Mumbai—reinforcing the renault. rethink concept in a major metro market
- The plan: revamp ~100 showrooms in 2025, and complete the transformation of all existing locations across India by 2026
🚗 Why This Matters: Strategic Implications
• Aligning Brand Identity with Future Products
The transformation supports Renault’s upcoming “Renaulution” rollout: five new Indian-market models—including two SUVs, next-gen Kiger & Triber, and their first India-focused EV by 2027. The brand intent is to deliver products aligned with global standards but tailored for India’s market needs
• Elevating Customer Engagement
The new ‘R Store’ concept and the Disha CX digital initiative reflect Renault’s ambition to establish a cohesive phygital experience, from digital-first lead generation and e‑KYC financing to integrated after-sales and pre‑owned certified car offerings
• Deepening Local Integration
With full control of its Chennai manufacturing facility and localization levels targeted at ~90 %, Renault is building a more agile ecosystem for design, engineering, and retail execution from within India—positioning itself as arguably the most India-rooted European carmaker
📋 Summary Table
| Pillar | Key Actions | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Chennai design centre launch, sculpture unveiling | India becomes core hub for Renault’s design |
| Retail & Branding | new’R Stores (Chennai, Mumbai), revamped brand logo | Consistent, modern brand identity across network |
| Digital Experience | Disha CX initiative, virtual sales & support tools | Seamless ‘phygital’ customer journey |
| Product Strategy | Upcoming models + EV planned 2025–27 | Strengthen product relevance and competitiveness |
🔮 The Road Ahead
- Full showroom transformation across India by end of 2026.
- Launch of next-gen Triber, Kiger, compact/mid-size SUVs, and EV in India between 2025 and 2027.
- Integrated localization and design pipelines intended to improve pricing strategy, adaptability, and export potential.
