India top priority for Renault outside Europe: Group CEO Francois Provost

Paris: India is a top priority for Renault Group outside Europe, and the company is pushing for hybrid and electric vehicle models in the country, its CEO Francois Provost said on Monday.

Talking to the media at the Paris Motor Show, he said Renault Group is pushing for going full hybrid and electric vehicles in India.

"Outside Europe, the top priority is India, and it's why we invest a lot in India because it is my top priority outside Europe," Provost said when asked about possible investments in India.


The company does not disclose its investments in India, but Renault wants to continue to grow in India, where it has fully acquired the Chennai plant, which was earlier co-owned with Nissan, he added.

Stating that the "potential of India is huge", he said, "We have been there for 15 years."

He stated that his vision for India is to push for electrification, starting with strong hybrids.

"My dream would be to have only full hybrid and EV...," he added.

Highlighting Renault's prowess in strong hybrid technology, Provost said the company will "provide Indian customers with the best technology on full hybrid".

Provost said electrification will be a priority for Renault and it will work to "convince Indian customers that diesel is old-fashioned and modernity is our full hybrid, which is the best full hybrid".

He further said, "Doing it in India, localising it in India, will give us also the affordability for Indian customers."

At the Paris Motor Show, Provost said Renault has three keywords for European customers.

"The first one is emotion. Emotion is emotional design, and it is also what we want to deliver step by step in India," he added.

The second, he said, is electrification.

"We are moving full speed, electric and full hybrid. In Europe, we are clearly leading the train, and it is really also what we would like to step by step show off in India," Provost said.

The third one, he said, is the affordability.

He said that his dream is to convince Indian people that a full hybrid of Renault is the best solution, and then move step by step also to full EV.