A near-doubling of light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales pushed Renault to become one of the UK's fastest-growing brands in 2023, while “surprisingly high” Renault Clio sales propped up its car business.
Over the 12 months, Renault sold 71,000 vehicles in the UK market, putting it just behind leader MG in the growth table and above stalwarts including Volkswagen, Audi, and Vauxhall. Of those, 51,000 (72%) were hybrid or electric E-Tech models.
The Renault Group – comprising Renault, Dacia and Alpine – recorded 99,000 vehicle sales, a 33% rise year on year.
The Renault brand's 2023 success was driven by the popularity of its three-vehicle LCV line-up: Kangoo, Master and Trafic.
After a long period without success in the UK van market, Renault saw its sales jump by 95.3% over 2022 to 28,000. Its market share rose to 7.96% as it overtook compatriot rival Citroën.
Renault UK boss Guillaume Sicard said “the key” to continuing this trend was “to be profitable with LCVs”.
Cars, of course, made up the majority of 2023’s sales, with 43,000 models sold, a 31.7% rise on 2022.
Despite Renault pushing towards the more-profitable C and D segments, with the July-released Renault Austral SUV selling 3800 units in its first six months, it was the stalwart Clio supermini that recorded the brand's strongest sales.
Competing in what was the UK’s most popular segment last year but no longer needing to fight the Ford Fiesta post-July, the Clio sold 12,900 units, up 60% on 2022. Of those sales, 18.9% (around 2400) were Renault Clio E-Tech hybrids.
“Last year, it was a very big success,” said Sicard. “Sales were higher than what we expected; surprisingly high.”
Looking ahead, Renault is pushing for even more sales in the UK. It hasn’t performed as well here as in European markets in recent times, which Renault is looking to rectify with its first UK-focused branding campaign in a decade.
“This is a big showing of trust in the UK market,” said Sicard. “It shows [that the brand believes] it has potential. We need to grow the brand in the UK. Obviously there's something we need to change.”
Renault will also reveal the production version of the long-awaited new Renault 5, an electric supermini that it hopes will spark the UK public's interest, at next month’s Geneva motor show.
Later this year, it's also expected to reveal the new Renault 4, an electric compact crossover.
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