Renault: group sales increased in 2024

(Keystone-ATS) Marked by the arrival of new models such as the electric Renault 5 or the new Dacia Duster, the year 2024 confirmed the success of the second phase of “Renaulution”, the strategic plan launched by the boss of the Renault group Luca de Meo to relaunch it, explained Renault brand director Fabrice Cambolive at a press conference.

In Europe, where the group generates more than two thirds of its sales, Renault is growing twice as fast (+3.5%) as the market, which remained sluggish in 2024. The economical Dacia Sandero remains the best-selling vehicle on the continent and Dacia (+2.7% in 2024) intends to accelerate further in 2025 with the arrival of the Bigster family model.

The group, however, is declining in markets outside Europe with “variations very linked to the product plans and geopolitical situations of each country”, explained Mr. Cambolive, such as the devaluation of the Argentine peso or the arrival of very aggressive competitors in Mexico. .

The arrival of new SUV models should boost sales in the first half of 2025, said a spokesperson for the brand.

The good figures on the European market have notably confirmed the shift started several years ago by Renault towards hybrid engines. They now represent a quarter (25.5%) of the group’s sales after increasing by 45% in 2024.

With a small engine and an electric battery that does not need to be plugged in, and which allows you to drive a few kilometers without burning gasoline, “it is the best compromise” for customers who “want a sustainable solution”, underlined Mr. Cambolive. “It’s the antechamber of the transition to electric.”

After having conquered large SUVs, the hybrid is gaining market share on smaller models such as the Captur SUV or the compact Clio, and could further progress in countries which are still hesitant about electric vehicles such as Italy or the ‘Spain, underlined the director of Renault.

The Renault brand ranks second in hybrid sales in Europe behind Toyota, a pioneer of this technology which replaces non-hybridized gasoline and diesel engines. But the No. 1 and No. 2 in the European market, the Volkswagen and Stellantis groups, intend to strengthen their offering of hybrid models in the coming months.

“Staying the course” electric

Electric vehicles, for their part, only represented 9% of sales in 2024 in Europe (+9% over one year), but the arrival of the Renault 5 brought this market share to 12%. in the last quarter, specifies the group in a press release.

The arrival of cheaper versions of the Renault 5, around 25,000 euros, then the less small Renault 4 and the Alpine A390 SUV, should allow the group to electrify further. “We must remain confident, stay the course for the long term,” underlined the director of Renault.

The group has every interest in this with the entry into force since January 1 of more severe European CO2 emissions standards (CAFE), which force it to sell more electric vehicles under penalty of heavy fines. While Stellantis has allied with Tesla and Mercedes with Volvo to compensate for possible overruns, Renault and Volksagen have not yet announced an alliance.

“Renault has all the supply to achieve the CAFE objectives”, at 95 grams of CO2 on average per vehicle, underlined Mr. Cambolive, “but we do not measure the level of demand, hence our requests vis-à-vis -screws of the European Commission”. The automotive lobby ACEA is currently negotiating a relaxation of these CO2 standards.

“Our strategy allows us to play on two legs and adapt to the dynamics that we see in each European country”, with very disparate paths towards the electric car, underlined Mr. Cambolive. “It gives us an agility that allows us to look to the coming months with confidence.”