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
  • Resource Center
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • PUBLICIS SAPIENT: The power of post-purchase: How automakers can maximize customer lifetime value
    • TOYOTA EUROPE: Toyota Motor Europe's next-gen C-HR: sensory innovations revealed by Vehicle UX leader
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • SENSEAUTO: Driving the future of mobility with SenseAuto: The AGI power behind the wheel
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automakers
January 18, 2019 05:50 AM

Renault's 2018 sales rise 3% on China, Africa, Russia and Brazil demand

Peter Sigal
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Renault's Latin American sales rose 12 percent, helped by the introduction of the Kwid.

    PARIS -- Renault Group's global sales rose 3.2 percent to a record 3.88 million vehicles last year, aided by results from a recent joint venture in China with Brilliance Jinbei, and growth in Africa, Russia and Brazil.

    Sales growth in 2019 will be "slight," Renault said in a statement. on Friday. Growth will come from Russia, forecast to rise by 10 percent, and Brazil, expected to gain 3 percent, while European sales will be stable, Renault said.

    "Volumes progressed across almost all our regions and we're entering 2019 with expectations for a slight increase in sales," Renault sales chief Olivier Murguet told reporters.

    Murguet said that growth in Africa, Russia and Brazil "was able to offset almost all the economic and geopolitical headwinds outside Europe." Sales fell in Turkey, Iran, China and India.

    Murguet declined to comment on the leadership crisis engulfing Renault-Nissan following Ghosn's arrest in Japan for alleged financial misconduct or any sales impact it may have.

    Murguet also said Renault had no plans to stockpile vehicles in preparation for Britain's exit from the European Union in March, in case London and Brussels fail to reach an exit deal. "Stockpiling is expensive and short-termist," Murguet said, adding: "we'll take an extremely pragmatic sales approach and adapt extremely rapidly."

    Dacia, Lada boost

    Without including 166,000 vehicles sold from the Brilliance venture, group sales were down by 1.2 percent in 2018 compared with 2017, in a global auto market that grew by 0.2 percent.

    Renault brand's volume was down by 5.2 percent to 2.53 million cars and light-commercial vehicles. Car sales at Renault fell by 6.2 percent, while LCV sales rose by 0.3 percent.

    Sales at budget brand Dacia and Russian brand Lada showed strong growth, with Dacia up by 7 percent to 700,798 vehicles, and Lada rising 19 percent in a recovering Russian market to 398,282 vehicles.

    Renault's sales mix shifted to 51 percent outside Europe, compared with 49 percent in 2017, with sales up 6.1 percent in global regions.

    European sales were largely flat, growing by 0.5 percent, following a surge in 2016 and 2017 from an overhauled lineup. The introduction of the fifth-generation Clio, Renault's best seller that will debut at the Geneva auto show in March, will help second-half volumes this year, the company said.

    Sales in Russia, the group's second largest market outside of France, grew by 11 percent, slightly behind the market, which grew by 13 percent in 2018. Lada sales were up by 16 percent, while Renault's Russian sales dipped ahead of the introduction of the Arkana fastback crossover this year.

    In the Africa-Middle East-India region, sales fell by 16 percent overall with India losing 27 percent after recent success with the Kwid small SUV faded. Renault said the introduction of a new model in the second half of this year would give sales a boost there. Sales in Iran were down sharply to 101,347 -- from 162,000 in 2017 -- as Renault said it would withdraw from the market there after U.S. sanctions were reimposed. Those declines were countered by growth in Morocco, South Africa and Egypt.

    Latin American sales rose 12 percent, driven by an increase in Brazil of 29 percent. That growth was largely due to the introduction of the Kwid.

    Sales in the Asia Pacific region, which includes China, rose by 68 percent, but that growth was due to the integration of sales of Jinbei and Huasong utility vehicles from the Brilliance joint venture. Overall sales in China were 216, 699. Renault has set a target of 550,000 sales by 2022. A small electric vehicle based on the Kwid is expected to debut this year, and Renault has invested in JM, China's fifth-largest electric vehicle makers.

    Reuters contributed to this report

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Interactive data dashboard: Get the latest Europe sales and other key statistics
    Recommended for You
    Interactive data dashboard: Get the latest Europe sales and other key statistics
    Interactive data dashboard: Get the latest Europe sales and other key statistics
    Seres SF5 2023 IAA Mobiity auto show
    Germany signals China EVs probe will have high burden of proof
    Toyota bZ4X driving down steep incline 2022
    Toyota to speed up EV production, aims for over 600,000 vehicles in 2025, report says
    Dr. Kai Yu, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics
    Sponsored Content: Interview with Dr. Yu Kai, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics
    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
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. 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
    • Resource Center
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • PUBLICIS SAPIENT: The power of post-purchase: How automakers can maximize customer lifetime value
        • TOYOTA EUROPE: Toyota Motor Europe's next-gen C-HR: sensory innovations revealed by Vehicle UX leader
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
        • SENSEAUTO: Driving the future of mobility with SenseAuto: The AGI power behind the wheel
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us