Talks with General Motors may have broken down but the Renault-Nissan Alliance is still open to the possibility of a third partner – but it will have to play by the rules, writes Chris Wright.
“The Alliance is special because it works,” said Luc-Alexandre Ménard, Renault’s Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Chairman of the Dacia Board of Directors.
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“Renault and Nissan have common platforms, engines and transmissions while our common buying covers 80% of our purchasing. We also have joint manufacturing in Brazil, Mexico and Spain and we market together in some countries.
“The two companies are linked closely together but they are completely independent when it comes to image, brands and products. This is the way the Alliance can continue and that is the only way any partner could fit in the future.”
Is that the reason talks with GM broke down? Mr Ménard would not be drawn, but he was keen to talk about Renault’s 2009 plan (‘Renault Commitment 2009’) unveiled by chief Carlos Ghosn earlier this year.
He is part of the Renault Management Committee, heading up the European and Mediterranean region in terms of spreading the gospel according the Ghosn.
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By GlobalDataThe 2009 plan has three main thrusts: to improve quality and commit to achieving top three quality status with the new Laguna to be launched next year; to increase volumes by 800,000 vehicles a year and to increase profitability reaching an operating profit of 6%.
Speaking in London during one of his first visits around the region, Mr Ménard said: “So far the quality surveys are very positive, particularly with Clio III launched last year and so we are on track to be in the top three with Laguna.”
Mr Ménard said the 2009 plan’s most important commitment was the decision to invest in 26 new products over the next three years.
The first of these will be the Koleos crossover. The concept unveiled at this year’s Paris Motor Show, he added, was 90% the finished version which will go into production in 2008.
Visiting dealers is also part of Mr Ménard’s programme. “From the dealer’s point of view they want to know if our commitment to new product launches is correct and I can tell them ‘yes’. Will Laguna be in the top three? Again the answer is ‘yes’.
“In exchange, the main issue for our dealers is that must have the correct processes in place to ensure that their customers are happy, particularly when it comes to sales and aftersales.
“We have introduced our EEEE (4E) process across the region which stands for Excellence, Everywhere, Everyone, Everytime. I have been to see how this operates at our big West London dealership and you can already see the changes.”
Customers are treated to the sight of a cover being pulled of their new car and they are given a complete tour of the vehicle before leaving the showroom.
Those bringing a car in for service are met at the door and led to a screen – with their name on it – detailing the whole process.
“If there are any problems, the dealers have to telephone the customer and discuss them. It’s not just our cars, we have to be among the best in terms of customer service.”
Chris Wright
See also: FRANCE: Renault wants to be top European earner
