Renault returns to growth

In a highly competitive European market that showed slight growth, Renault Group sales (car and LCV) fell 4.1% to 1,624,266 units. The Group returned to growth in the second half of the year, and sales were up 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Renault brand sales decreased by 6.1%, while those of Dacia rose 67.7% to 79,672.

In France, Renault retained its leading position with 594,069 registrations and market share of 23.5% (car and LCV). The Dacia brand grew its sales by 74.1%, obtaining 1.3% of the market and placing 13th in the passenger car brand rankings.

In Europe as a whole, Renault took 8.4% of the overall car and LCV market, claiming 7.6% of the passenger car market and maintaining its number one position in LCVs with a market share of 14.2%. Dacia continued to grow, with registrations up 67.8% to 79,621 units. The brand is winning new customers with Logan and Logan MCV, the first vehicles of their kind in Europe. With the launch of New Twingo in June and New Laguna in October, the Renault brand started to win back sales in Europe.

Euromed Region: the Renault Group number one in three markets

In the growing markets of the Euromed Region, Group sales (car and LCV) increased 11.4% with 424,085 units sold, thanks to an excellent performance by the Renault brand.

In the fast-growing Russian market (up 36.2%), Group sales rose by 39.6%. Sales passed the 100,000 mark for the first time on strong performances from all models, especially Logan (67,844 units), sold under the Renault brand. Sales were up 33.5% in Ukraine with over 14,400 registrations.

The Group led the Romanian market, selling 134,449 vehicles for a 38.3% market share, driven by the Logan range. Dacia confirmed its leadership with 29% of the market, followed in second place by Renault, with a market share of 9.2%.

The Renault Group strengthened its leadership in the growth markets of Algeria and Morocco, with sales up 27.5% in Algeria and 12.8% in Morocco. The Group continues to head the Moroccan market with a market share of 30.1%.

In Turkey, where the car market shrank by 4.8%, Renault once again led car sales with a 16.7% market share and 59,458 units sold thanks to Mégane and Thalia.

Americas Region: sustained growth

In dynamic markets that expanded by 18.2%, Renault Group sales (car and LCV) increased by 33.4% to 247,403 units, mainly under the Renault brand. The Group achieved significant growth in Argentina (39%), Brazil (42.9%) and Venezuela (133%). Group sales outpaced the market in all three countries.

Sales in Argentina increased to 66,994 units, for a 12.5% market share. The Group set a sales record in Brazil with 73,875 units sold. Sales were up 17.8% to 39,089 in Colombia, where Logan was launched in 2005, with Renault consolidating its position as the number-two carmaker. Sales doubled in Venezuela to more than 29,000.

Manufactured at the Curitiba plant in Brazil since April, Logan is sold under the Renault brand in Argentina and Brazil, where it has proven a resounding success with over 16,500 units sold in just six months. Renault has extended its range with Sandero, a new five-door hatchback. Developed on the Logan platform and also produced at Curitiba, Sandero was launched in December 2007 in Brazil and is due for release in Argentina in February 2008.

Asia-Africa Region: new markets, new opportunities

Group sales were up 9.8% in this region, where the market grew by 4.2%. Renault brand sales increased 35.5% to 71,145 units (car and LCV). In South Korea, Renault Samsung Motors sales slipped a slight 1.4% to 117,376 vehicles. QM5, the Group’s first cross-over, was launched in mid-December. Conceived and designed by Renault, developed by Nissan and manufactured by RSM, it will be marketed as Koleos outside South Korea from spring 2008. Ultimately, approximately 50% of production will be exported.

In India, where Logan production began at the Mahindra plant in Nashik in April, the network is gradually developing, and nearly 18,000 Logans have already been delivered. Logan topped its segment in the 2007 JD Power IQS (Initial Quality Survey) and APEAL (Automotive Performance Execution and Layout Study) rankings for the region.

In Iran, Tondar 90 (Logan) enjoyed a successful start, with more than 85,000 orders in the first week. Over 10,000 vehicles have already been delivered. Ramp-up is slower than expected owing to a difficult economic context. Corrective measures have been taken and the sales objectives remain unchanged for the coming years.

Top products in 2007

New Twingo: feisty, practical and connected

Renault has sold over 56,000 New Twingo since the vehicle was launched in France, Italy and Slovenia in mid-June, and in a dozen other European countries in second-half 2007. New Twingo leads its segment in France with unit sales of 32,408.

New Laguna: driving pleasure with complete peace of mind

New Laguna, the emblem of the commitment to quality made in Renault's business plan, was launched in October within the space of a few days across 15 European countries, where it was very well received. Two and a half months later, Renault has sold 22,700 units, of which more than 12,000 were in France. Since its launch, New Laguna has led its segment in France with a high version mix. The 110hp dCi version sets a record for the lowest CO2 emissions in the category – at just 130 grams per kilometre – illustrating Renault's eCO2 environmental approach. New Laguna Sport Tourer is set for launch in European dealerships to meet strong demand in countries such as Italy, where estate cars account for 61% of the market, or Germany (58%).

Light commercial vehicles: Renault the undisputed leader for ten years

With 14.2% market share, Renault dominated the European LCV market for the tenth consecutive year on strong performances by Kangoo Express, Trafic and Master. Kangoo Express maintained its second place in the compact van segment through to the end of the year, with market share of 18% four weeks before the launch of the replacement model.

The Logan family’s worldwide success

The Group has sold more than 783,000 Logan worldwide since they were launched in September 2004. The year 2007 was important for the programme, with the start of production in Iran, India and Brazil. Logan is now manufactured in seven countries and marketed in 55, under the Renault and Dacia brands. Logan sales totalled 367,745 in 2007, up 48% on 2006. Logan MCV was launched between January and June 2007 throughout Europe, in Turkey and Algeria, and in some African and Near Eastern markets. Logan Van was introduced in Romania and Bulgaria in February 2007. Sandero, the latest vehicle based on the Logan platform, went to market in Mercosur at the end of 2007. The Dacia version of Sandero will be produced from 2008 at the Pitesti plant in Romania for markets in Europe and the Maghreb. The range will also be extended to include the pick-up model, revealed in Frankfurt in September 2007.

Outlook

Four new models will be launched in the first two months of 2008: the passenger car and LCV versions of New Kangoo, Clio Sport Tourer and Grand Modus. Phase 2 of the Modus will be released as well, together with five other models later in 2008.

In Europe, the product offensive will be rounded out by the arrival of Koleos and Dacia’s Sandero to boost the Group’s growth in the Region. The full effect of Laguna Sport Tourer, the last product to be launched in 2007, will be felt in 2008.

After launching the Renault eCO2 signature in May, Renault has confirmed its objective of selling one million vehicles emitting less than 140 g/km of CO2 in Europe in 2008.

Outside Europe, the Group is enjoying sustained sales growth, particularly in the Asia-Africa and Americas Regions, as production ramps up in India, Iran and Brazil.

Patrick Blain, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing commented “The 2007 sales results are in line with our forecasts: down in the first-half of the year and back to growth in the second half, driven by new products like New Twingo and New Laguna.

“We are stepping up the product offensive in 2008 with the launch of nine new models. The three brands will contribute to the solid growth of the Renault Group. We are forecasting a sales increase in each Region, with overall growth of over 10%.”