How Renault And Nissan Plan To Max Out Factory Capacity At Oragadam
The French and Japanese automotive giant Renault-Nissan’s alliance is now gearing up for a major transformation in India. The companies have announced that the central part of their new plan is the Oragadam manufacturing facility near Chennai. This plant, which currently has an annual production capacity of 4,80,000 units, is underutilised due to a limited product portfolio. However, that will be changing in the coming period.
Both Renault and Nissan are planning to launch multiple new cars in various segments, along with a strong export push. Recently, Renault Group CEO Francois Provost has confirmed that India will play a much bigger role in the company's plans going forward. Provost stated that India will not just serve as a domestic market but also as a global export and technology hub.
During the recent FutuReady Event held in Chennai, Provost stated that the company is targeting around 2 billion euros worth of exports from India by 2030. So, with multiple new models from both brands, strong hybrid and EV plans, and heavy parts sharing, the Renault-Nissan alliance is aiming to utilise almost the full capacity of this plant. This will also help both Renault and Nissan finally achieve economies of scale and improve profitability in the Indian market.
The new-generation Renault Duster, which has already been launched, is one of the most important products for Renault in India. It is based on the new RGMP (Renault Group Modular Platform) and is being offered with three powertrain options. These include a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine making around 163 PS and 280 Nm of torque, along with a 1.8-litre strong hybrid setup with a combined output of around 160 PS, and a 1.0-litre turbo petrol making 100 PS and 160 Nm of torque.
This SUV is currently the most affordable in the mid-size SUV segment, and this pricing has helped the Duster in becoming very popular in a short span of time. The company will commence the deliveries of the strong hybrid version of this SUV by the festive season of this year.
The Renault Boreal will be Renault’s entry into the growing three-row SUV segment. It will be larger than the Duster and will offer a longer wheelbase to accommodate the third row. It will come powered by the same 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine producing around 163 PS and 280 Nm of torque. A strong hybrid version will follow later. This SUV will help Renault tap into family SUV demand both in India and export markets.
The Renault Kiger sub-compact SUV and the Renault Triber affordable 7-seater MPV will continue to be the backbone of Renault’s mass segment volumes. Both models will now shift to the newly unveiled RGEP platform.
As per the company, they will be getting turbo petrol engines along with factory-fitted dual underbody CNG options. This will make them more affordable to run and increase their appeal in both domestic and export markets, thereby contributing consistent volumes.
Apart from the Kiger and the Triber, the entry-level hatchback Kwid from Renault will also be getting the new RGEP architecture. It too will be getting dual underbody CNG tanks and a turbo petrol engine option, which will make it a more lucrative purchase in the affordable hatchback segment.
Another super important launch from Renault will be the Bridger SUV. It will be a brand-new sub-4-metre SUV which will be positioned between the Kiger and Duster. It will be offered with petrol, hybrid, and EV powertrains. This model will target one of the highest-volume segments in India and will also be exported to multiple markets. Renault is betting big on the Bridger, as it is set to become a key contributor to plant utilisation.
Renault is also planning a strong push towards electrification. It will be launching hybrid versions of the Duster and Boreal, and EV derivatives like the Bridger EV will be introduced. The company expects EVs to contribute nearly 50 percent of its India sales by 2030. As per the company, this multi-energy strategy will ensure demand across different customer segments and help maintain steady production volumes.
The Nissan Magnite will continue to be Nissan’s primary volume driver in India. It has already proven itself in both domestic and export markets. With steady demand, it will continue to utilise a significant portion of the plant’s capacity.
The Gravite is Nissan's newly launched sub-4-metre 7-seater MPV aimed at budget-conscious buyers. With a starting price of around Rs 5.65 lakh, it is one of the most affordable 7-seaters in the country. This product has helped Nissan in gaining a decent chunk of sales in India.
The Nissan Tekton will be Nissan’s version of the Duster and is expected to launch in mid-2026. It will get multiple engine options, including a 1.0-litre turbo petrol, a 1.3-litre turbo petrol, and a 1.8-litre strong hybrid setup. This SUV will be a major volume and export product for Nissan and will significantly contribute to plant utilisation.
Nissan will also launch a new 7-seater SUV based on the same platform as the Boreal. It will be larger than the Tekton and will come with both turbo petrol and hybrid powertrain options. Nissan will enter the high-demand three-row SUV segment with this SUV and rival the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO.
Nissan is also expected to introduce its own version of the Bridger compact SUV. It will be positioned between the Magnite and Tekton. This SUV will help Nissan in expanding its presence in the compact SUV segment. Mechanically, it will remain identical to the Renault Bridger.