- Renault group sales increase by 4.2% in 2004 attaining a record level of 2,488,523 vehicles sold. This volume represents a Group world market share of 4.1%
- Renault is the Number 1 passenger car and light commercial vehicle (LCV) brand in Western Europe for the seventh consecutive year, securing 10.8% of the market
- Group sales outside Western Europe progress strongly with growth of 16.4%
- Logan enjoys an excellent beginning with 40,000 orders since its launch
In the Western European automobile market, which grew slightly (2.9%), Renault ranked as the leading passenger-car brand for the third consecutive year, with a market share of 10.3%, and retained its place as leader of the passenger car and light commercial vehicle market for the seventh consecutive year with 10.8% of the market. Thanks to its very good performance, Renault confirmed its solid first place in France, a rank it also secured in Spain, Portugal, and Belgium, and figured among the top three brands in Austria, the Netherlands, and the UK. Mégane confirmed its success as the top selling model in Europe in 2004, like 2003, while Modus, launched in September 2004, experienced an excellent beginning.
Outside Western Europe, Renault group sales experienced a significant acceleration, progressing by 16.4% with 676,870 vehicles sold, accounting for 27.2% of group sales. The group experienced a very strong resurgence in Turkey (+101.1%), substantial gains in Eastern Europe and Russia (+32%), and a notable progression in Africa and the Middle East (+32.9%) and Latin America (+16%). The performance of Dacia (+38.6%), which clearly benefited from the launch of Logan, also contributed.Renault confirms its No. 1 position in Western Europe
Renault registered 1,778,828 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Western Europe in 2004, an increase of 0.3% over 2003, securing 10.8% of the market. In the context of increased competition, Renault pursued a selective commercial policy in different customer segments to ensure optimal profitability.In France, Renault realised an excellent year in a very competitive market. The brand consolidated its first place with a 28.4% market share and 689,025 cars registered in 2004. Mégane and Clio models secured positions one and three in France in 2004, whilst with Laguna and Twingo, Renault accounted for four of the 10 top-selling cars in that country.
Renault was also the number one brand for cars in Spain (12.8%), Portugal (15.6%) plus Belgium & Luxembourg (11.8%), while it ranked second in the Netherlands and in the top three in the UK and Austria. In Germany, Renault favoured profitability over volume, while maintaining its place as lead importer in a competitive market. Clio, which will be replaced in the second half of next year, still posts strong sales, taking second place in the small-car segment in Europe, with 373,721 registrations and 2.57% of the total European car market.Success for Modus also, securing 80,000 orders in Western Europe since its launch in September 2004. In France, Modus is already in the top five, with 4.3% market share in December 2004, and totaling 31,946 cars sold since its launch. With the three models, Twingo, Clio and Modus, Renault achieved a penetration of 28% in the small car segment.
In the medium-sized car market, Mégane retained the title of top-selling car in Western Europe for the second consecutive year, with 4.8% of the total market. It recorded an 18% increase in sales with 702,775 cars sold. Since its launch in 2002, 1,176,955 Mégane models have been sold in Western Europe. Number one in France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands, Mégane also ranked among the top three in Switzerland and Austria.The final model of the Mégane range’s line-up, the Mégane Renaultsport 225 also went on sale in 2004, further bolstering Renault's offering in this strategic segment.
In its first full year of sales Scénic II took first place in the European compact MPV market with its five and seven seat versions with 23.1% of the segment.Laguna secured a top-six position among the generalist manufacturers in its segment selling 126,832 examples. Since its launch in 2000, 783,262 Laguna’s have been sold in Western Europe. In 2005, Laguna will benefit from restyling and a number of totally new features.
Espace confirmed its leadership in the large MPV segment with 62,236 cars sold, accounting for 20.4% of the segment, a 1.3% rise over 2003. In addition, Espace was the only MPV in the top five of the upper (S) segment, accounting for more than 5% of the segment thanks to its luxury car credentials. With its Espace and Vel Satis models, Renault is the top generalist car maker in the S segment.Renault also posted an excellent performance to secure its number-one position in the LCV market in Western Europe, increasing its sales by 8.1% in this growing market. With 290,087 vehicles sold, Renault was the leading brand in the LCV market, winning a market share of almost 15% (14.9%). The top-selling LCV brand in France, Belgium & Luxembourg, and Portugal, Renault was also the second LCV brand in Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, and third in Switzerland.
Kangoo Express continues to be the top-selling small van in Western Europe, claiming 5.48% of the market with 106,388 sales. It was also the most popular van sold in France, Belgium & Luxembourg, and Spain.Trafic saw a 16.2% rise in its sales to 53,263, while Master sold 54,763 vans to win 6.1% of its segment of the Western European LCV market. Thanks to the performance of these two models, Renault was classed third for medium-sized van sales in 2004.
The Renault Group accelerates around the rest of the world
Outside Western Europe, Renault group sales rose 16.4% to 676,870 units in 2004. The group made significant advances in markets such as Turkey, Algeria, Russia, South Africa, Argentina and Mexico. In Mexico and Algeria, Renault sold more than 20,000 vehicles for the first time.The Renault brand posted a sales growth of 23.7% outside Western Europe. The brand progressed in practically all its markets, doubling its sales compared to 2003 in certain markets such as Turkey and Venezuela. Of note were LCV sales in these markets outside Western Europe, which increased by 52.5%.
A 2004 landmark, the group successfully re-launched Dacia, with the new model Logan largely passing its expected targets. The Romanian carmaker recorded a 38.6% year-on-year rise in sales to 95,296 units. The performance was attributable to the continued success of Solenza, and, of course, the beginning of sales of Logan in September 2004. In addition, exports increased to 15,283 units, or 16% of total sales.Between its launch in September 2004 and the end of the year, the Logan has secured over 40,000 orders in all the markets in which it is on sale. In its home market, Romania, Logan sold over 20,000 examples in the space of only four months. Logan was already the top-selling car in Romania in November 2004. Logan has enjoyed equally good results on its export markets, which represented 23% of all Logan sales in 2004. Logan has been on sale in Croatia (since October 1), Serbia-Montenegro, Macedonia and Slovakia (since October 14), Hungary (since October 16), the Czech Republic (since October 30) and Turkey (since November 19).
Renault Samsung Motors sold 85,046 units, primarily in Korea, where the market continued to contract by 18.2% compared to 2003. The carmaker realised three quarters of its sales with its SM5 saloon. In November, Renault Samsung Motors presented its new top of the range saloon SM7, which will be commercialised in January 2005. In two months, orders for this top of the range saloon reached 10,000.* * *
In Central Europe, group sales totaled 108,443 accounting for 10.4% of a market that shrunk by 2.3%. Renault kept its number two position in that zone. The three leading markets for Renault were Poland, Hungary and Slovenia, Renault being the Number One brand in the latter country.In Eastern Europe, the group grew sales by 32%, with the Renault brand increasing sales by 25.4% and Dacia sales increasing by 34.6%. In Russia alone, Renault brand sales increased by 41.6% to 16,081 units.
Group sales in Turkey increased by 101.1% in 2004, occupying first place in the market with a share of 17.1%. The Renault brand grew sales by 98.3%, while the launch of Logan allowed Dacia to practically triple its sales to 5,317 units.In Latin America, group sales grew by 16%, totaling 148,371 vehicles sold. In Mercosur, the automobile market improved with Renault brand sales also improving in Argentina (+68.5%), and Chile (+14.7%). Renault brand sales continue to rise in Mexico (+30.2% with 24,001 sales) passing 20,000 for the first time and in Venezuela where sales increased almost four-fold compared to 2003.
In Asia-Pacific, group sales reached 95,919 units. In Korea, the market fell by almost 18.2%, while Renault Samsung Motors held a 9.3% share of the passenger car market, in a year of transition for its leading SM7 and SM5 models.In Africa, Maghreb and the Middle East, group sales volume rose 32.9% to 91,272 units in 2004. Renault group sales in Algeria increased by 88.2% to 27,749, while the Moroccan market for the Renault group increased by 34.8%. 14,500 vehicles were sold in South Africa, one of the markets where Renault saw strong development (+69.1%).
Outlook for 2005
In Western Europe, the automobile market is expected to be stable in 2005. As competition intensifies, Renault will continue to pursue a more selective sales policy in each customer segment in order to maximize profitability, and maintain a market share comparable to 2004.Outside Western Europe, Renault plans to continue pursuing the growth opportunities offered in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey and Latin America.
The group will clearly benefit in 2005 with a range that is both enlarged and almost completely renewed. The Mégane range is now complete and its sales are expected to follow the progress made in 2004. In the small car sector, Modus will see its first full year of sales, while Clio will be replaced in the second half of 2005. Both Laguna and Vel Satis will benefit from face lifts in the first half of 2005.2005 will also see the extension of the Logan programme. The model will be launched in the first half of the year in a number of new markets including Syria, Slovenia, Poland, Ukraine, Lebanon and the Baltic countries. It will also enter into production in Russia in the first half and in Morocco in the second half of the year, plus in Columbia at the end of 2005. Logan will also be commercialised in Western Europe at the end of the first half of 2005.
Renault's focus in 2005 will be to maintain a Western European market share at a similar level as 2004 while maximising profitability in that zone. Meanwhile, it intends to increase its sales in the rest of the world. Globally, volume growth for the Renault Group will be pursued in 2005, thanks to the launch of new products, the mounting strength of Logan and with expansion into new markets.Renault sales worldwide (passenger cars and LCVs, in units)
| 2004 | 2003 | % change | |
| Renault group o/w • Renault • Renault Samsung Motors • Dacia |
2,488,523 2,308,181 |
2,388,459 2,174,917 |
+4.2% +4.5% |
| Western Europe
Rest of World* |
1,811,653 676,870 |
1,806,933 581,526 |
+0.3% +16.4% |