The Renault group sold 1,355,621 vehicles in the first half of 2005, a 3.6% increase on the same period in 2004, securing a 4.2% share of the global market.
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The overall outcome resulted from contrasting performances, as sales on Western European markets dropped slightly by 0.8% while sales in the rest of the world grew strongly by 16.8%.
The Renault brand consolidated its leadership position in Western Europe, commanding a 10.8% share of the market. Sales in the rest of the world were slightly up by 0.5%, a growth limited by the softening markets in Central Europe and Turkey.
Elsewhere, the brand continued to grow, especially in Russia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.
The Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors brands made a big contribution to the growth of the group in the first half of 2005. Dacia sales soared by 89.5% as the Logan scored successes in all its markets. In Korea, Renault Samsung Motors raised its volumes by 43.9% and used the launch of the new SM5 and SM7 to win back market share.
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By GlobalDataThe automobile market (passenger cars and LCVs) in Western Europe grew by 0.3% in the first half of 2005 compared with the same period in 2004. The passenger car market lost 0.5%, while the LCV market gained 6.3%. Many Western European markets were down, with the notable exception of France (+5.6%), Spain (+5.4%) and Germany (+2.2%).
Over the first six months of 2005, Renault held a 10.8% share of the passenger car and LCV market in Western Europe, selling 970,316 vehicles, a 0.9% decline on first-half 2004.
Sales of passenger cars fell 2.2% to 808,991 units, while LCV sales rose by 6% to 161,325 units.
Renault also held on to its top ranking on the passenger car markets in Spain (12.5%), Portugal (14.5%), and Belgium-Luxembourg (11%).
Outside Western Europe, the Renault group grew its sales across all regions except Turkey and Central Europe. Passenger car and LCV sales totaled 384,214 units in the first half of 2005, a 16.8% increase on the first half of 2004.
Sales of the Renault brand rose 0.5% to 248,260 vehicles.
The markets of Central Europe continued the downturn that began in the second half of 2004, contracting by 12% in first-half 2005 compared with first-half 2004. These markets experienced high buyer expectations prior to joining the European Union. Most markets were affected, notably the two biggest: Poland, which was down 31.3%, and Hungary, which dipped 10.1%.
Renault enjoyed continued growth in Eastern Europe and Russia, where sales were up 63.2%. Sales in Russia leapt by 43.4% with almost 10,500 vehicles sold, propelled by the success of the Clio Symbol (the sedan version of the Clio hatchback) and the Mégane. The second half should see these performances strengthened with the launch of the Renault-badged Logan in September.
In Turkey, where the passenger car and LCV market declined by 13.1% in the first half of 2005, Renault led the car market with a 17.5% share, on combined car and LCV sales of 45,781 units.
Strong showings in several countries helped Renault sales to climb by 12.5% in Latin America to 79,245 vehicles. Sales rose by 59.2% to 19,277 units in Argentina, by 6.7% to 12,187 units in Mexico, and by 23.2% to 10,639 units in Colombia.
In Africa and the Middle East, Renault sales increased by 14.5% to more than 47,000 units.
Some of the sharpest increases were in South Africa (42.4%), Tunisia (69.5%), and Egypt, where sales were up fourfold on the first half of 2004. With almost 10,000 vehicles sold in the first six months of 2005, South Africa is now Renault’s largest African market.
Dacia took 1.8% of the Central European market, selling 8,956 vehicles. The brand grew its sales in Turkey by more than 50%, with almost 4,000 units. Logan was instrumental in Dacia’s performance, with more than 84,000 units sold since the September 2004 launch.
Renault group sales were up 36.4% in the Asia-Pacific region to 63,086 vehicles. Renault Samsung Motors recorded a sharp upturn in sales with the launch of the new SM5 and SM7.
Volumes increased by 43.9% in the first half of 2004 to 57,977 vehicles, while the Korean automobile market grew only slightly by 3.3% in the first half of 2005. Sales of the Renault brand increased by 4.7% in the region.
The Renault brand is expected to get a boost in Europe from the launch of the redesigned Clio III in September though it will face competition from Fiat’s redesigned Punto, due out around the same time.
Also in the second half, the Logan will be introduced into new markets in Russia, Morocco, Africa and in eight Western European countries.
