Production of the Dacia Duster in India has ended. In this emerging market the popular low-cost SUV is marketed under the Renault brand. After almost a decade of production in Indian Territory, there is no replacement planned anytime soon. Only the first generation Duster has been sold in India.
Renault has decided to put point and end to the commercial journey of the Dacia Duster in India. In this very important emerging market, the Dacia SUV is marketed under the Renault brand. The Duster has been manufactured in the Indian Territory for about a decade. Specifically, the production of the Duster has been carried out in facilities located in Sriperumbudur.
The Duster can claim to have been one of the first great successes of Renault in India. And it is that it is a really surprising decision since the low-cost SUV has been reporting very acceptable sales figures in this competitive market. What’s more, it has even played the role of the central pillar on which the Renault range has stood in India for quite some time.
Renault Duster, a sales success in India
The Serial production of the Renault Duster in India started in the month of July 2012. It was one of the first models marketed by Renault in the Asian country. Approximately 40,000 units were sold in its first year of production.
One issue with the Duster that has been manufactured and sold in India is that it matches the first generation model. While a second generation was developed in Europe, the Renault Group opted to carry out a facelift to keep the first generation Duster. At the time it was highlighted that the second generation of the Duster would not reach this market and instead preference will be given, when the time comes, to the third generation.
The last tuning of the Indian Duster it was introduced at the end of 2019. In addition to an obvious change of image, the technological equipment was improved and Renault made adjustments in the mechanical section so that it could comply with emission regulations.
Renault gives priority to the CMF-A platform
Nissan took advantage of the success obtained by the Duster for the marketing of the Nissan Terrano in India between the years 2013 and 2020. Once the units available in dealers are exhausted, the Duster will have materialized its departure from the Indian market. At the moment Renault does not have on the agenda the introduction of a replacement for the Duster.
Renault has given priority to the development of a new family of models aimed especially at emerging markets such as India. Some models based on the CMF-A platform and among which are the Renault Kiger and the Renault Triber.