The new name was officially unveiled following an announcement made by Stéphane Deblaise, the CEO of Renault Group India, on his LinkedIn profile. Deblaise noted that the naming honors the “inventor of Duster” and is timed strategically as the company prepares to introduce the next generation of the Duster in the Indian market. The French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, was present at the ceremony, underscoring the significance of the occasion.

Gérard Detourbet played a crucial role in developing Renault’s strategy for emerging markets, notably by spearheading the creation of the Common Module Family A (CMF-A) platform. This architecture was instrumental in producing rugged, yet cost-effective vehicles specifically suited for countries like India.

The Chennai facility, which started operations in 2010, is a pillar of Renault’s presence in India and stands as one of its largest production centers globally outside of Europe. The plant, which manufactures popular models including the Kwid, Kiger, and Triber for both domestic and export sales, holds an annual production capacity of more than 480,000 units.

The renaming comes as Renault gears up for the much-anticipated launch of the all-new Duster in January 2026. Built on a modern modular platform, the vehicle is expected to spearhead Renault’s efforts to capture a larger share of the competitive Indian SUV segment. The company is also planning to enhance local sourcing of components and expand its focus on electric and hybrid vehicles in the market.

By honoring Detourbet, Renault aims to celebrate his profound engineering legacy and reinforce its long-term commitment to the Indian automotive landscape.