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Renault: 2001 Sales Results Renault increases sales worldwide and consolidates ranking as leading European brand Renault group sales climbed 2.2% in 2001 to 2,408,548* passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Sales were up 1.6% in Western Europe, but jumped by 23.8% in Central Europe, where Renault was ranked third, up from fifth place in 2000. Sales, however, were impacted by the slump in the Turkish and Argentine markets, but rose in Brazil and on many other markets, including Africa, Maghreb, Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Leading European brand for the fourth year in a row An increase in sales in the second half of 2001 helped the Renault brand to maintain its number-one ranking in Western Europe for the fourth year running, with a market share of 11.15% in 2001, passenger cars and LCVs combined, up from 11% in 2000. In the passenger car market, Renault's market share stood at 10.6%, a 0.1-point gain on 2000. Laguna was introduced progressively from January 2001 and New Clio went on sale in June. These model launches, coupled with the rise in dCi-engined models, fuelled sales performance and led to a diesel/petrol mix of 38.9% at end-October 2001, up from 23.6% five years ago, and in excess of the European average of 35.2%. In the European top 10, Mégane was ranked third and met with fiercer competition. Sales of Laguna (up 40.3%), Clio (up 5.8%) and Twingo (up 0.6%) were all on the increase. Espace and Kangoo continued to rank first in their respective segments. In the light commercial vehicle market, Renault bolstered its number-one position to win 15.3% market share from 14.1% in 2000 and widened the lead ahead of its main rivals. Renault boasted the most recent LCV lineup on the market with the September launch of New Trafic, the benchmark in the compact van segment and Van of the Year 2002. Renault grew its market share, passenger cars and LCVs combined, in several countries in Western Europe, including Germany - despite tougher competition from national automakers - the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Greece, Denmark and Norway. The brand was stable in Italy and Sweden and market leader in Portugal, Belgium and Spain, with a 12.6% market share, down 0.1 of a point. In France, Renault recorded a decline in market share in the passenger car market from 28.2% in 2000 to 26.6% in 2001, primarily due to a slower-than-expected ramp-up in Laguna production, the mid-year launch of New Clio and a gap at the top of the range. In the light commercial vehicle market, however, Renault increased its market share from 33.7% in 2000 to 34.9% in 2001. Renault maintained its position as leading brand with a 27.9% market share, passenger cars and LCVs combined, compared with 29.1% in 2000. Sales recovered late in 2001. Renault group sales outside Western Europe up 4.4% Diversification on world markets and a wider reach for the Renault group helped offset the fall in Turkish and Argentine markets. Passenger car and LCV sales climbed 4.4% outside Western Europe to 503,700 units. Renault group sales grew in Central Europe, Brazil, Asia-Pacific and several new market areas such as South Africa. Other Renault group brands boosted sales figures. Renault Samsung Motors posted unit sales of 70,231 from 12,541 in the last four months of 2000. And Dacia sales were up 4.8% to 52,523 units. In Central Europe, the Renault brand built on its sales success and posted market share of 9.9%, passenger cars and LCVs combined, up from 7% in 2000. It was ranked third, up from fifth place in 2000, in the region. Renault sales grew 23.8% in a market that shed 12.3% owing to a 31.7% decline in the Polish market. Renault consolidated its lead in Slovenia (21.8% market share, up 1.8 percentage points) and took the top spot in Croatia (16.5% market share, up 5.1 points). Renault reported gains in Poland (8.7% market share, up 2.9 points), Hungary (10.4% market share, up 3.1 points) and Romania (7.1% market share, up 1.4 points). This sales performance was due to the success of Thalia, the Clio saloon, with unit sales of 22,711 in 2001, and Laguna, up 82% to 8,853 units. In Turkey, the market was in severe decline - down 68.6% - but Renault strengthened its lead position with a 4.3-point gain in market share, passenger cars and LCVs combined, to 23.7%. The Bursa plant was geared to export markets in record time and these markets accounted for 80% of all output. In Russia, sales climbed 83% to 5,484 units. The Renault dealer network in the country grew to over 30 outlets in 18 cities and the Renault brand took 7% of the imported brand market. In Latin America, Renault pursued its development strategy in Brazil - 4.7% market share, cars and LCVs combined, up 0.7 of a percentage point - and had a 5.3% share of the passenger car market alone. In Argentina, car and LCV sales slid 41.9% to 35,336 units due to the economic crisis (market down 41.8%). Renault nevertheless managed to hold its ground and remained the leading brand with a stable 18.4% market share. Renault's market share also rose in Venezuela to 5.4%, up 0.3 of a point, and Colombia to 17.4%, up 4.2 points. In Mexico, 2001 was Renault's first year on the market and the main priority was to set up a new dealer network in the country. Unit sales came to 3,100 vehicles. The upcoming February 2002 launch of Clio II, assembled locally, will boost the current product lineup of Scénic and a few imports. In the Asia-Pacific region, the Renault brand saw its car and LCV sales rise significantly on all markets, up 57.6% overall to 14,167 units. Sales were up 37.1% to 2,845 units in Japan, 85.2% in Malaysia, 15.7% in China and 7.2% in Singapore. Close cooperation with Nissan helped Renault to strengthen its operations in the region, with comebacks in Australia, Indonesia and Taiwan in 2001. The Renault brand is targeting sales volume of 22,000 units in the Asia-Pacific region in 2002. In Africa and the Middle East, Renault's car and LCV sales climbed by 5.9%. Renault maintained its run of successes in South Africa, the leading market in Africa, with unit sales of 13,061, up 22.6%. Sales declined by 26.8% to 8,246 units in Morocco, but rose in Algeria (up 28.3%), Tunisia (up 43.4%) and Egypt (up 17.7%). Renault group leverages new nameplates Renault Samsung Motors put in a remarkable performance in Korea with just one model - the D-segment SM5 - with 70,231 unit sales, exceeding targets. The SM5 was ranked third in the Korean car market in 2001. A second model, the C-segment SM3, will be launched in the autumn of 2002 and Renault Samsung Motors will cover some 50% of the market in Korea and continue to grow. Dacia, whose Pitesti plant is currently being completely revamped, took full advantage of the launch of the SupeRNova - equipped with a Renault powertrain - to trigger a recovery in sales in Romania. In a buoyant market increasingly receptive to imported brands, Dacia sold 52,523 vehicles in 2001, a 4.8% gain on 2000, and had a market share of 59.7%. 2002 - a major year for the renewal of Renault's product range Renault is expected to consolidate its global sales in 2002, bolstered by a stronger product lineup, sizeable production capacity for dCi engines and ongoing development of new international ventures. Diesel-engine production capacity stands at 1.4 million units annually today, compared with 850,000 units in 2000, and common-rail turbodiesel units equip the entire Renault range. Laguna is continuing to develop commercially and will make a significant full-year contribution to sales figures in 2002, alongside New Clio and New Trafic. Sales will also be driven up following the renewal of Renault's top of the range, with the arrival of Vel Satis, then the Espace replacement in the autumn of 2002. The first stage in the renewal of the C segment - the Mégane family - at the end of 2002 will constitute a key stage in Renault's product cycle. Lastly, Renault's ongoing international development strategy, coupled with a fuller product range and growth at Renault Samsung Motors and Dacia, will help consolidate the group's sales worldwide. Source: Renault
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