Groupe Renault has set ambitious goals for the next five years: sales of five million units (more than 40% compared to 2016), with an operating margin of 7% (up 50%) and at the same time being able to reduce costs by 4 .2 billion euros.
Ambitious goals, no doubt. To this end, Groupe Renault – which includes Renault, Dacia and Lada – will expand its presence in new markets and strengthen it in key markets, such as Brazil, India and Iran. In Russia the focus will be on Lada and in China there will be greater interoperability with Brilliance, its local partner. It will also imply a rise in prices, distancing itself from rivals such as Ford, Hyundai and Skoda.
More Electric, Less Diesel
But for us, the news that refer to future models that the brand will launch are of more interest. 21 new models were announced, of which 20 will be electrified – eight 100% electric and 12 partially electrified.Currently, the French brand sells three electric cars – Twizy, Zoe and Kangoo Z.E. - but a new generation is “just around the corner”. A new dedicated platform, which will be shared by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, will serve as the basis for cars ranging from the B to D segment.
The first will be a C-segment SUV (equivalent to a Renault Kadjar) for China that will later reach other markets. It will also be the first of three new SUVs to be launched under this plan, which includes a new proposal for the B-segment, joining the Captur.
If there will be more electrified models, on the other hand, we will see less Renault Diesel. In 2022 the French brand will have a reduced offer by 50% and only one family of diesel engines, as opposed to the three current ones.
The new electric platform will also be the preferred vehicle for Renault to demonstrate its technology for autonomous vehicles. Of the 21 new products, 15 will feature autonomous capabilities ranging from level 2 to level 4. Among these, the successor to the current Renault Clio – to be presented in 2019 - stands out, which will have an autonomous capacity of level 2 and at least one electrified version – probably a mild hybrid (semi-hybrid) with 48V.
And what else?
In addition to the technological focus that will correspond to an investment in research and development of 18 billion euros in the coming years, Groupe Renault will continue to invest in expanding its more accessible global range. It integrates three successful model families: the Kwid, Logan and Duster.
Its commercial vehicle range has not been forgotten either, with the ambitious goal of not only globalizing it and increasing sales by 40%, but also having a complete range of 100% electric commercial vehicles.
As might be expected, the Alliance that now also integrates Mitsubishi will allow huge economies of scale, where the goal is to have 80% of the cars produced based on common platforms.