Why Renault's Global CEO Doesn't Want Diesel Anymore
Renault's global CEO Francois Provost made a blunt declaration this week: diesel has no place in the brand's future. "I think diesel is old technology. I don't want to go backwards. I'm moving forward," he said in an interview. This is not a footnote in a product plan. It is a strategic call with direct consequences for Renault's line-up here, where diesel still commands a solid share in the exact segment Renault competes in.
The numbers make this a harder call than it looks. At the end of FY26, diesel accounted for 18.5 per cent of the overall passenger vehicle market. In the mid-size SUV segment, which is where Renault's Duster sits, that figure is around 40 per cent.
And according to Jato Dynamics data, diesel vehicle sales in that segment actually grew by 10 per cent last financial year. Renault is not walking away from a declining segment. It is walking away from a growing one.
The engine that made Renault relevant here was the 1.5-litre K9K diesel. It powered the original Duster and played a key role in establishing the brand through the 2010s.
That engine, and successors built on similar technology, are now definitively off Renault's roadmap. The group has taken a decision not to invest in a new-generation diesel engine at all, which means there is no future diesel to bring in, even if the company changed its mind later.
This is a big step away from diesels. Nearly 90 per cent of first-generation Duster sales came from diesel variants, which shows how deeply the brand's SUV success was tied to that fuel. The first Duster sold close to 2 lakh units here over its run.
When the K9K diesel was phased out with BS6, the collapse was sharp. Even after a facelift, Duster sales fell to under 3,000 units in its final full year. So this is not just a powertrain decision. It is Renault giving up the very formula that once built its position in the market.
Provost explained the reasoning as a prioritisation call rather than a dismissal of diesel demand. "We are not among the top leaders who have to develop all technologies. I prefer to make choices where I see strong value for customers and where Renault can provide the best solution."
The implication is clear: Renault does not want to keep spending on a technology where regulation is tightening, development costs are rising, and its long-term global direction points elsewhere.
The replacement strategy is a wide powertrain spread: turbo-petrol, CNG, full hybrid, and battery electric. The full-hybrid piece is central to Provost's pitch. "We have the best full-hybrid in the world. I want to localise this in India and I'm sure our full-hybrid solution will be a game changer," he said.
That is a bold claim, but Renault is clearly trying to make hybrids do the heavy lifting diesel once did. That means chasing fuel-efficiency-minded buyers without taking on the full cost and development burden of a new diesel engine.
The group also has scale on its side here. Renault, Geely and Saudi Aramco-backed Horse Powertrain gives it access to hybrid-focused engine and transmission technology that can be adapted across markets. CNG is part of the same playbook. The Triber's planned factory-fitted dual-cylinder setup is aimed at buyers who want lower running costs but still need maximum boot utility.
All of this sits inside a larger expansion plan. Renault currently sells four models: the Kwid, Kiger, Triber, and the new-generation Duster. By 2030, the line-up is planned to expand to seven. The additions include a three-row Duster derivative, a Bridger compact SUV in ICE and EV forms, and at least one more model yet to be detailed. Two platforms, RGEP for smaller cars and RGMP for larger SUVs, will support that push.
The company is also not thinking small about its target. Renault wants India to become one of its top three global markets by 2030 and is targeting around 5 per cent share here. That gives context to the diesel decision. Renault is not exiting diesel because it is shrinking away from the market. It is trying to rebuild scale with a different powertrain mix.
Via AutocarPro