Renault aims to double Scots sales 17 | 09 | 2013
RENAULT HAS COMMITTED to reversing the downward sales trend for the car maker in Scotland and the rest of the UK, and has set itself the target of doubling its market penetration.
Renault's sales and market share have plunged in the three years since the decision was taken to cut the dealer network, reduce the number of models sold and pull out of unprofitable sales channels.
Market share in the first eight months of this year was 1.67% with sales at 23,300.
"It's not a side issue, it's a Level 1 issue for us," sales and marketing chief Stephen Norman said. "We cannot continue at below 2% market share. We need to at least double that, if not get to 5%."
Related: Renault to close Scots dealerships
Norman said he wasn't expecting Renault to regain its historic market share of around 8%, "but we must get back to 4-5% and do it in the right way."
The good news, he said, is that the Renault brand is still strong in the UK. Growth will come on the back of new products led by Clio IV and Captur. The French manufacturer has also unveiled the Twin'Run concept (pictured).
New Twingo, jointly developed with Daimler, will be shown at next year's Geneva show and new Espace is scheduled to make its first appearance at the Paris show in 12 months.
"By 2016-17 Renault will be back where it needs to be in the UK. I am absolutely certain of it," Norman stated.
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Jim McGill