Renault Plans Return to Form

Renault is planning a huge return to form with their sensational new line-up.  The French company have ruthlessly axed as many as five models, including the Espace, Laguna, Kangoo passenger MPV, Modus and Wind after they succeeded in achieving as little as just 10% of all Renault UK sales in total. 

While the French firm successfully recorded worldwide sales of in excess of 2.7 million during 2011, this was primarily driven by the fact that sales from outside of Europe increased by as much as 19%, and now make up around 43% of their overall sales picture.  The picture is, however, massively different in the United Kingdom, with sales having slumped by as much as 500,000 over the course of the last five years.

New models are set to arrive next year, but Renault admits that the cuts will have an adverse impact on figures, with a big drop from last year's figure of 75,000 being predicted for this year, although they are expected to increase again in 2013.  In addition to the model axings, the company is also set to reduce their dealer network by almost a third by the beginning of next year, from 190 to 135. 

The carmaker is, however, making moves to try and arrest falling sales with current stars getting an update and the arrival of a new electric range.  As of next month, all vehicles will also come with a 100,000 mile/four-year Car Warranty.

back | more from Motoring News