Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
June 27, 2014 01:00 AM

Renault narrows sales gap with Opel in bid to be Europe's No. 2 brand

David Jolley
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Renault's new Captur is now the brand's second-best selling model in Europe.

    FRANKFURT -- Renault is narrowing its European sales gap with rivals in its bid to rise to No. 2 from No. 4 in the next three years. To get there it will need to pass third-ranked Opel and current No. 2 Ford. 

    In April, Renault Europe Chairman Stefan Mueller told Automotive News Europe that Renault aims to be Europe's No. 2 brand by unit sales by 2017.

    Renault's sales are increasing at a faster pace than rivals, helped by the popularity of new models such as the Captur subcompact SUV.

    Renault's five-month European sales rose 12 percent to 363,363 compared with a 7 percent rise for Opel to 378,591, according to JATO Dynamics.

    This means Renault was 15,228 sales behind third-placed Opel, nearly halving the 27,356-unit difference that separated the brands over the same period last year.

    Market leader Volkswagen brand sold 684,527 units, a rise of 3 percent, while Ford's volume rose 7 percent to sold 424,317.

    Reinvigorated lineup

    Deutsche Bank analyst Gaetan Toulemonde said the Captur is helping Renault to boost sales. "Renault has increased the capacity for the Captur, which offers a clear picture about how well the model is selling. Before, Renault was looking at 150,000 units of capacity and now they are looking at 250,000 units in production so that is 100,000 units incremental," Toulemonde said.

    Also, the Captur is not cannibalizing the Clio subcompact hatchback, he said. The introduction of the next Espace minivan and Megane compact car line will further help to reinvigorate Renault’s sales and profits, Toulemonde said.

    VW stays in front

    Five-month European sales of Europe's top 10 brands, with % change from the same period in 2013.

    1. Volkswagen 684,527 +3.0%

    2. Ford 424,317 +7.2%

    3. Opel/Vauxhall 378,591 +7.4%

    4. Renault (excludes Dacia) 363,363 +11.7%

    5. Peugeot 347,110 +7.9%

    6. Audi 318,980 +5.9%

    7. Mercedes 273,688 +3.8%

    8. BMW 280,588 +4.6%

    9. Citroen 274,054 +4.3%

    10. Fiat 266,344 +0.8%

    Source: JATO Dynamics

    Growing demand for subcompact SUVs helped sales of the Captur, which was launched in April 2013, reach 66,231 through May, according to JATO, making the crossover Renault’s second best-selling model after the Clio.

    Opel rebound

    Opel is benefiting from new models such as the Mokka subcompact SUV and Adam minicar. The brand is also rebounding in Germany, where its market share is picking up. In the booming UK market, Vauxhall has defended its position as the second-largest brand after Ford.

    Opel is benefiting an upturn in many European markets, Peter Christian Kuespert, the brand's sales boss, said in a recent press release.

    Sales of the Mokka rose 56 percent in the first five months to 50,508, making the Mokka the carmaker's No. 3 best seller. Sales of the Adam rose 42 percent to 22,913, JATO said.

    Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann said at the Geneva auto show that his aim is for Opel to become the No. 2 carmaker in Europe by 2022.

    Ford's profit focus

    Ford says its focus is on boosting sales to private retail buyers and smaller fleet customers, which are more positive for brand image and residual values.

    Asked about rivals' sales goals, Ford of Europe CEO Stephen Odell told Automotive News Europe at the launch of the Edge SUV on Wednesday: "I will let the commentators decide whether No. 1, 2 or 3 is important. We want a sustainable business with sustainable profitability."

    Bruce Gain and Nick Gibbs contributed to this report

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Hyundai marketing VP Andreas-Christoph Hofmann to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    Recommended for You
    Andreas-Christoph Hofmann 2021 Eurostars
    Hyundai marketing VP Andreas-Christoph Hofmann to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    Monica Perez Lobo Toyota 2022
    Toyota Europe ESG director Monica Perez Lobo to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    Philippe Houchois, managing director of Jefferies Group
    Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
        • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us