New Delhi, Jan. 27 -- French carmaker Renault SA believes the appointment of a French chief executive and the return of Duster, its former best-selling mid-size SUV, will be key to its revival in the Indian market.

Renault India's Stephane Deblaise, who took over as chief executive in September, is the only expat heading the operations of a major European carmaker in India. BMW, Mercedes, Volvo Cars, and Volkswagen Group all have Indians heading their domestic operations.

The decision to appoint 52-year-old Deblaise was part of the French auto giant's strategy to give more power to the Indian team in global decision-making, according to Renault Group's chief growth officer Fabrice Cambolive.

"We have to give power to the country. And i...