Renault 2022 sales fall but Dacia a bright spot

PARIS -- Renault Group’s global vehicle sales fell 5.9 percent in 2022 to 2,05 million, with a gain for Dacia failing to offset a decline at the core Renault brand. The sales figure does not include Russia, which Renault exited in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Looking ahead, a record order book in Europe of 3.5 months should boost sales in 2023, Renault said in a news release on Wednesday.

If the Russian market, where Renault brand and Lada cars were sold, is factored in, Renault’s global sales fell by 24 percent. In the Eurasia region, which includes Russia, sales fell to 152,318 from 699,964, according to Renault figures.

Under CEO Luca de Meo, the group has been emphasizing high-value sales over volume, and Wednesday's sales report indicated progress in that strategy. Sixty-seven percent of sales in the five main European markets were in the more-profitable retail channel, a gain of 8.7 percentage points over 2021, Renault said.

Read more: Renault gains in high-margin compact segment as overall sales slump

On Tuesday, sales figures for the Renault brand showed a gain of 21 percent in the compact segment in Europe, where sales had slumped in recent years. 

Romania-based brand Dacia was up 6.8 percent to 573,800 sales; in Europe, the brand had a record market share of 7.6 percent. Alpine, the sports and racing brand that will be expanded into a full lineup of electric cars, saw sales of its lone model, the A110, rise by 33 percent to 3,546 units.

By model type, passenger car sales fell by 2 percent – again excluding Russia – while light commercial vehicle sales were down 22 percent. 

Renault registered gains in some of its key international markets. Sales in Morocco were up 11.4 percent, Turkey sales gained 23 percent, and Latin American sales increased by 8 percent.

Sales at Renault Korea Motors fell by 11 percent to 51,803 units.