The «Plan Renaulution» It shows its first results in the midst of a major automotive crisis derived from the component crisis, the consequences of Covid-19 worldwide, and the war in Ukraine. With these parameters, the brand with the rhombus has achieved its objective of profitability compared to the number and volume of sales, but without abandoning the first positions among the main brands in Europe.
This is how he explained it Fabrice Cambolive, Chief Operating Officer of the brand, during a meeting with the media. Renault achieved a market share of 6.4% (down 0.7 points compared to 2021) with 832,605 units sold. As in 2021, the brand once again grew significantly in the segments and channels that generate the most value, such as electrified vehicles (100% electric, plug-in hybrid, and conventional hybrid, and excluding micro hybrids or Mild Hybrids), and in segment C, the private channel and commercial vehicles.
As regards Spain, the CEO of Renault, Alpine and Mobilize in Iberia, Sebastien Guigues, has highlighted as fundamental data for the 2022 financial year that 53% of total sales have been to private customers, with 45% of cars belonging to segment C. As for electrification, it has gone from 17 to 27% “That is still a modest number.” One out of every two cars sold in our country belongs to segment C in the private market, and 80% of Arkana sales and 94% of those achieved in the final stretch of the year in its new model, the Austral, are correspond to the highest finishes.
Sébastien Guigues, has highlighted that the company is “satisfied” with the performance of its dealer network, since in general “you have learned to make money in a hostile environment” due to the component crisis and the war in Ukraine. «We have raised the average price of the cars we sell by practically 3,000 euros, although more than half of that effect is because higher-end or better-equipped models are sold«
The mix of sales to individuals has increased 8 points compared to 2021, reaching 51% and exceeding the market average by 7 points. As a result, the market share of sales to individuals improved by +0.3 points compared to 2021 to reach 6.1% in Europe.
Sébastien Guigues during the meeting with the media
The E-Tech range (electric and hybrid) already represents 39% of Renault passenger car sales in Europe in 2022, compared to a market average of around 31%. Hybrid technology is booming, with 117,000 units sold (64% more than in 2021). This technology has reached a sales mix of 30% in Clio, 31% in Captur and 65% in Arkana, and it is already the best-selling version of the Austral. In 2022, Renault has been the second European brand in sales of hybrid vehicles.
This means according to Fabrice Cambolive that “our priorities have been achieved in 2022: growth in the electrified market, the C segment and the private channel”. According to the manager, the prospects for this year are to “ensure the growth of the brand based on the hybrid range, a full year of sales of Megane E-Tech 100% electric and the new Austral E-Tech full hybrid, as well as 4 important launches with high-quality vehicles, of which we are very proud.”
According to Cambolive “we have to get used to component volatility, but we will have a better situation in the second half of 2023«, although the manager has also pointed to the new problem that manufacturers are facing: logistics and transport. »Now we have to align logistics with production and I hope we will have an improvement in the coming months«, he affirms.
In the European commercial vehicle market, Renault ranks second with a market share of 14.4%. In 2022, Renault has completed its range of commercial vehicles with the New 100% electric E-Tech Kangoo van and the 100% electric New E-Tech Master van.
Stable sales outside Europe despite Russia
The sales volume amounted to 634,124 units, stable compared to 2021. Sales outside Europe represented 43.2% of the brand’s total sales. In this case, the departure of Renault from Russia as a result of the war with Ukraine has had an impact. «In Russia in 2021 we sold a total of 130,000 units and in 2022 with the closure of the commercial activity it caused us to register 30,000 units. So, the lockdown of russia It has meant 100,000 units less than the total sales”, explained Cambolive.
The most positive balance is for the markets of Turkey and Morocco, which stand out as emerging countries. Thus, Turkey becomes Renault’s 4th market with a volume of 99,639 vehicles sold and a growth of 22.6% and a market share of 12.7%. In Morocco, the sales volume increased by 11.4%, to 26,385 vehicles and the market share reached its highest level in 10 years: 16.3%.
Also in Latin America Renault increased its sales by 8% compared to 2021, to 283,116 units. In India sales fell 9% and market share decreased by 0.7 points. Despite this, Renault remains the leading European brand in the Indian market.