While the company brand is conspicuous by its absence in India, clearly the model’s name has greater recall in the Indian market than the French carmaker’s name. (Renault India)Nearly three years after the production of the first-generation Duster ended, Renault India has brought back the third-generation version of the Duster. The India-spec version of the rugged SUV has several distinct differences when compared to its foreign counterparts, the most noticeable being right upfront. In markets across Africa, the black grille spells out ‘Renault’ in bold letters, but the India-spec car has this replaced with ‘Duster’. While the company brand is conspicuous by its absence in India, clearly the model’s name has greater recall in the Indian market than the French carmaker’s name.While this is off-trend, given that most production cars feature prominent front logos, there is now a new trend, especially among electric vehicle makers, to move towards cleaner, logo-free front ends or subdued branding inside the cabin. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, for instance, features a very clean front, and it notably removed the Hyundai logo from its steering wheel, replacing it with a minimalistic four dots. Increasingly, in case of EVs, the industry is generally moving towards simpler, more minimalist branding, even though the total removal of the brand name is somewhat unusual.The Duster has developed a “cult” brand following after Renault was credited with pioneering the midsize SUV segment in 2012, which featured a rugged, modern design, a peppy 1.3L turbo petrol engine, and a 5-star safety target. The Duster developed its status for dependability on account of its rugged design, excellent ride quality and ability to handle tough Indian terrain due to superb suspension setup, resulting in over 200,000 units of the first-gen Duster being sold in its initial run.Also Read | The rule changes reshaping Formula 1 in 2026 — new engines, smaller cars, no DRSAnd the return of the car, which began the mid-sized SUV segment in India in 2012, has been received with widespread anticipation in the market. The hybrid version of the car, which will be launched around October this year, has already been sold out for 2026. The prices of the car range between Rs 10.49 lakh and Rs 18.49 lakh (ex-showroom). However, the company has only announced prices of the turbo-petrol variants as of now.When a model becomes the brandLike the Duster, there are other models that sometimes have a bigger brand recall than the company names themselves. This includes F-Series pickup trucks by Ford, which has been the best-selling vehicle model in the US for over 40 years, and the Corolla, the Toyota flagship model with over 50 million units sold worldwide. Similarly, the GT-R carries more weight in car culture than the overall Nissan brand and the 911 for Porsche.Another trend is new models from major brands are also seen to be deploying simpler and minimalist logos, which are going ‘flat’ and are seen to lend themselves more in the digital medium.Across the global auto industry, carmakers are quietly redesigning their logos — making them flatter, simpler and more minimalist. From Volkswagen and BMW to Kia and Nissan, several brands have dropped glossy, three-dimensional emblems in favour of cleaner, two-dimensional designs. The shift reflects a broader change in how car companies present themselves in the digital age.Changing brand aesthetics, courtesy smartphonesStory continues below this adOne key reason is the growing importance of screens. Logos today must work across a wide range of digital surfaces, such as smartphone apps, infotainment systems, websites and social media profiles. Flat designs are easier to reproduce on small screens and remain clearly visible even at very small sizes. Traditional 3D metallic badges, designed for physical car grilles and advertisements, often lose clarity when scaled down for digital use.More Explained | So you just bought an induction cooktop. Here’s how it worksAutomakers are also increasingly positioning themselves as technology companies rather than purely vehicle manufacturers. As firms pivot towards electric vehicles and software-driven mobility, a minimalist visual identity helps signal modernity and innovation. When Volkswagen unveiled its flatter logo in 2019, the company said the redesign was meant to represent a “digital-first” brand. Similarly, Nissan introduced a simplified logo alongside the launch of its new electric vehicles, emphasising a cleaner, more futuristic aesthetic.Another factor is global branding consistency. Modern logos must appear across a wide variety of contexts including vehicle badges, charging apps, dealership signage, marketing campaigns and even smartwatch notifications. A simple, flat design ensures the logo looks consistent across all these platforms without losing recognisability.Minimalism is also part of a broader design trend across industries. Technology companies such as Google and Apple have long favoured clean, simplified visual identities. As the automotive sector increasingly overlaps with consumer technology — particularly with connected cars and autonomous driving systems — many car brands are adopting a similar aesthetic language.Story continues below this adHowever, the shift is not only about design trends. Carmakers are also trying to refresh their brand identity at a time of major industry disruption. With the transition to electric mobility, software-defined vehicles and new entrants in the market, a redesigned logo offers a symbolic way to signal transformation.Soumyarendra Barik is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express, specializing in the complex and evolving intersection of technology, policy, and society. With over five years of newsroom experience, he is a key voice in documenting how digital transformations impact the daily lives of Indian citizens. Expertise & Focus Areas Barik’s reporting delves into the regulatory and human aspects of the tech world. His core areas of focus include: The Gig Economy: He extensively covers the rights and working conditions of gig workers in India. Tech Policy & Regulation: Analysis of policy interventions that impact Big Tech companies and the broader digital ecosystem. Digital Rights: Reporting on data privacy, internet freedom, and India's prevalent digital divide. Authoritativeness & On-Ground Reporting: Barik is known for his immersive and data-driven approach to journalism. A notable example of his commitment to authentic storytelling involves him tailing a food delivery worker for over 12 hours. This investigative piece quantified the meager earnings and physical toll involved in the profession, providing a verified, ground-level perspective often missing in tech reporting. Personal Interests Outside of the newsroom, Soumyarendra is a self-confessed nerd about horology (watches), follows Formula 1 racing closely, and is an avid football fan. Find all stories by Soumyarendra Barik here. ... Read MoreAnil Sasi is the National Business Editor at The Indian Express, where he steers the newspaper’s coverage of the Indian economy, corporate affairs, and financial policy. As a senior editor, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative around India's business landscape. Professional Experience Sasi brings extensive experience from some of India’s most respected financial dailies. Prior to his leadership role at The Indian Express, he worked with: The Hindu Business Line Business Standard His career trajectory across these premier publications demonstrates a consistent track record of rigorous financial reporting and editorial oversight. Expertise & Focus With a deep understanding of market dynamics and policy interventions, Sasi writes authoritatively on: Macroeconomics: Analysis of fiscal policy, budgets, and economic trends. Corporate Affairs: In-depth coverage of India's major industries and corporate governance. Business Policy: The intersection of government regulation and private enterprise. Education Anil Sasi is an alumnus of the prestigious Delhi University, providing a strong academic foundation to his journalistic work. Find all stories by Anil Sasi here ... Read More © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd