Built on a dedicated EV platform, the Renault Kiger EV is aimed at mass-market users with a target price of less than Rs 15 lakh.
With annual volumes slipping dramatically and a market share of less than 1% in India, French automaker Renault is working overtime to deliver a new line of SUVs and compact electric utility vehicles that would help it gain ground in an increasingly competitive field.
Renault Kiger EV, Triber EV specifications
Renault India is developing the Kiger EV, internally known as Project RJ2K5, with production planned to begin in the second half of 2026, indicating that it will likely go on sale in the fiscal year ending March 2027 (FY2027). The Renault Kiger EV, built on a specific EV platform, is aimed at mass-market users with a target price of less than Rs 15 lakh. An electric Triber is expected to follow, perhaps catering to both families and fleet buyers.
The company has been in talks with Tata AutoComp about sourcing batteries locally for its EVs in order to keep prices affordable.
Renault Kiger, Triber facelift, and Duster launch
The company expects to turn around its fortunes in 2025. It will update its compact models, Kiger and Triber, before introducing the all-new midsize SUVs Duster and Bigster in 2026.
Renault and Nissan revealed a mid-term plan to invest Rs 5,400 crore in forthcoming vehicles two years ago. The concept entails introducing six models between the alliance partners in India. So, this slowdown in new products was expected. The management believes that the current correction is not surprising and that the brand will hit a low in India in 2024 before being revived with multiple new models.
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo pointed out the company’s hardships in India in 2024, calling it a challenging market. During his last visit to India, De Meo told Indian journalists, “India is not an easy market, and many carmakers have had to bite the dust.” Nonetheless, the French automaker is “not shying away from the market and is ready to bet on India for the future” with its alliance partner Nissan, he added.
The CEO stated that the company is figuring out how to serve the Indian market and do things right in its next phase. “We need to find our secret sauce, and in the past, maybe the only thing we were focusing on was trying to get the cheapest possible car to get access to mobility, but the market is changing a lot, so we have to be a little bit more creative,” he told me.
Renault India has hit its lowest position in more than a decade. Average monthly sales have dipped below 4,000 vehicles, and the brand has fallen behind Volkswagen in the current fiscal year.
Renault India’s Plans
According to a company source, Renault’s India strategy, which includes new EVs, facelifts, and the return of legacy models, appears to be reactive rather than proactive. “If Renault truly wants to recover significance in India, it must move beyond token updates and delayed debuts. “A sharper focus on product differentiation, customer experience, and proactive market engagement will be critical to reversing its downward trajectory,” said the individual, who requested anonymity.
Along with the product changes, a transfer is taking place in the sales and marketing department, which will be led by Dacia Spain’s CEO, Francisco Hidalgo Marques, after Sudhir Malhotra stepped down late last year.
De Meo agreed that the market is extremely competitive. Renault, on the other hand, believes that India will play a larger role in the firms’ collaboration. “I believe we were among the first to see the potential of this market, and we continue to believe so. Meanwhile, we realized that we are capable of delivering,” he said. De Meo was very open about the fact that the Renault brand is currently “at a low point of its lifecycle in India, but we had the opportunity to prove that we could be very successful in this market.” He was referring to popular models such as the Duster SUV, the Logan sedan, and the Kwid hatchback.
Also Read
HMIL COO Expects EV Penetration In India To Accelerate By 2025-26
About The Author
