Renault said today it expected a 2008 rise of at least 10 percent as it steps up new product launches as part of its profit recovery program, which aims at boosting annual sales by 800,000 units in 2009 compared with 2005 sales of 2.5 million units.
“This is a critical year, which will be followed by a second critical year in 2009,” Sales and Marketing Director Patrick Blain told a news conference. “In 2008, if we don’t make at least 10 percent [growth], we will have problems with the 800,000 [vehicle sales goal].
“In 2006, Renault’s unit sales were down 4 percent and in 2005 the unit sales were up 1.5 percent.
While sales in Europe, including France, were down 4.1 percent in 2007, there was a 33.4 percent rise in South and Central America. In Russia, sales rose 39.6 percent, outpacing a 36.2 percent general market rise there.
After the 2007 launch of Logan Van, Twingo, Laguna, QM5 and Sandero, Renault will launch 9 models in 2008. This includes the passenger car and light commercial vehicle version of the Kangoo, Clio Estate and Grand Modus.
Renault is the fifth biggest seller of passenger cars in Europe after Volkswagen, PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, General Motors and Ford.