Renault Group: Strong acceleration in sales in 2023 thanks to a strong and complementary brand strategy

RENAULT BRAND

Worldwide

The Renault brand registered a solid worldwide performance with sales up 9.4% (1,548,748 vehicles) compared to the previous year. Proud of its international recognition, Renault is the best-selling French brand in the world.

Renault continues to outperform on the Light Commercial Vehicles worldwide market, with a 19.9% growth, in a market up 10.4%.

One of Renault’s highlights in 2023 was the reveal of its “International Game Plan 2027″, which, with 8 new models between 2023 and 2027, will ensure the brand’s future growth in the markets beyond Europe. In 2023, the development outside Europe was mainly driven by Brazil, Turkey and Morocco.

Europe

The activity was especially strong in Europe with a remarkable growth of 19.3% with 977,635 registrations. Renault outperformed the European market, which grew by 13.9%: the brand gained market share and is moving from 5^th to 2^nd place in the European PC+LCV (passenger car + light commercial vehicle) market, while continuing its value-based commercial policy with one vehicle out of two sold to retail customers.

The growth in sales has been mainly driven by Spain (+30%), Italy (+37%) and the United Kingdom (+51%).

In France, its domestic market, Renault confirmed its leading position in PC (277,914 sales, +18%) and LCV (112,569 sales, +13%). Clio, the most popular vehicle in France, became the best-selling car with 111,741 registrations in 2023, all sales channels combined. Clio is now #3 in Europe with more than 219,365 units sold.

Renault is also a true European leader in Light Commercial Vehicles⁵ with a 25.7% growth, in a market up 15.3%. Kangoo/Express (+32.4%) and Master (+14.5%) are the leaders in their segments.

Commercial policy focused on value combined with market share gains

In line with its value-oriented strategy, Renault is accelerating its offensive on the C segment and above (+26%) in Europe.

• In the C segment and above in Europe, the Renault brand recorded a 26% sales growth compared with 2022, thanks to the success of Arkana, Austral, Espace E-Tech Hybrid and the Megane E-Tech electric.
• The mix and sales channels are virtuous: in its five main countries in Europe, the Renault brand generates more than half its sales in the value-creating market of retail customers. In addition, top-of-the-range versions such as “Esprit Alpine” are appreciated by customers. 51% of the Austral and 44% of the Espace E-Tech Hybrid sales are in the Esprit Alpine version.

Electrification: a winning strategy in Europe

Renault is continuing its electrification offensive (hybrid and all-electric vehicles). The strong technological choices made by the brand are proving to be relevant, in line with customer expectations: an all-electric portfolio on the one hand and a hybrid portfolio on the other, for a more progressive energy transition. Renault has thus accelerated its growth, with a 19.7% increase in sales in one year (270,362 vehicles sold) and took the 3^rd place in Europe for electrified passenger cars. Sales volume of electrified vehicles now account for 39.7% of the brand’s passenger car sales.

This trend was supported by a 62% increase in hybrid vehicle (HEV) sales, 185,666 units in total. Austral, Clio and Captur are among the top 10 best-selling hybrid vehicles in Europe.

Megane E-Tech electric, launched mid-2022, is the vehicle that has repositioned the brand in the all-electric market and helped it win over new customers (conquest rate over the competition of more than 50% in Europe). 47,504 units of Megane E-Tech electric have been sold in 2023 and places itself within the top 3 of the sales of its category in Europe.

The Renault brand’s all-electric portfolio will be expanded in 2024 with Scenic E-Tech electric and Renault 5 E-Tech electric.

2024: a historic year in commercial launches for the Renault brand

2024 will be a historic year with 7⁶ new vehicles launches:

• 2 new all-electric vehicles with Scenic E-Tech electric, offering more than 600 km of WLTP range, and Renault 5 E-tech electric – all-electric pop icon.
• 2 new hybrid vehicles in Europe, including Rafale E-Tech.
• New Renault Master (ICE and all-electric version)
• 2 new vehicles in markets outside Europe: Kardian and a Renault Korea Motors vehicle.  In 2024, the Renault brand will continue to roll out the “International Game Plan 2027“. After Brazil and Turkey in 2023, this year will be highlighted by the deployment of the plan in Morocco and South Korea.

DACIA BRAND

Growing success in Europe

In Europe, Dacia sold 562,890 units. The brand enjoys growing success and registers a 17.4% growth in a market up 13.9%. Dacia has moved up 4 places and is now ranked 11th on the European PC + LCV market. In the PC market, Dacia joins the top 10 in Europe.

This result is driven by its new strong brand identity of “essential, cool, robust, affordable, and environmentally friendly vehicles” structured around 4 pillar models, all of which are growing compared to 2022.

Record market shares of the brand in Europe

This performance enabled Dacia to achieve a record market share.

• 3.8% (+0.1 pt vs. 2022) in PC + LCV
• 4.3% (+0.1 pt vs. 2022) in PC
• 8.3% (+0.7 pts) in PC for retail customers. The brand confirms its 2^nd place on the retail vehicle market in Europe⁷, its core market.

Results driven by a strong new brand identity

Dacia’s results are driven by a strong new brand identity structured around 4 pillar models. The brand is popular with all types of customers with conquest and loyalty rates at the best level on the market.

• Dacia Sandero global sales totalled 269,899 vehicles, up 17.6% compared to 2022. Sandero maintains its position as the market leader for retail vehicle sales in Europe⁸ since 2017.
• With 200,633 units sold worldwide, Dacia Duster grew by 1.7% compared to 2022. It maintains its position in the top three European retail SUVs sales.
• Dacia Jogger recorded 94,095 units sold worldwide, up 65.6% compared to 2022. In Europe, it is the best-selling vehicle in the C segment retail sales, excluding SUVs.
• With 61,803 units sold worldwide, Dacia Spring is up 26.4% compared to 2022, making it the 3rd best-selling electric vehicle to retail customers in Europe.

2024: 2 new vehicles on the market

Dacia will launch 2 new vehicles:

• New Dacia Duster on sale starting March 2024.
• The new 100% electric Dacia Spring, with an all-new design, both exterior and interior, will go on sale in summer 2024.

The brand will also introduce Bigster, a C-segment vehicle, at the end of 2024.

ALPINE BRAND

In 2023, Alpine continued its double-digit growth in the high-end segment for the third consecutive year, with 4,328 vehicles sold, up 22.1%:

• In Europe, the brand recorded strong growth, especially in Germany (+34%), Belgium (+32%) and France (+26%).
• The Alpine A110 maintains its position as the leading two-seater sports coupé sold in Europe in 2023, driven by the success of the A110 R and the limited editions: A110 San Remo 73, A110 R Le Mans and A110 S Enstone Edition.
• The brand makes 3/4 of its sales on the top-of-the-range versions.

Alpine’s international development strategy

In 2023, Alpine is continuing its international development strategy with its expansion in new countries such as Israel and Morocco, and now has 146 dealers worldwide. This will continue in 2024 with Alpine’s arrival in Turkey in the first half of the year.

2024 for Alpine

Alpine starts 2024 with an order book filled for 7 months thanks to the successful start of the A110 R Turini launched in December 2023.

2024 will mark Alpine’s shift into electric, as announced during the Renaulution plan in 2021. The brand will present its electric hot hatch, the Alpine A290, the first all-electric vehicle for Alpine.

MARKET OUTLOOK 2024

In 2024, European and Latin America automotive markets are expected to be stable, and Eurasia is expected to decline by 11%.