EVs contribute to Groupe Renault upswing

Groupe Renault sold 1,256,658 vehicles in the first half of 2020 with a strong electric momentum and a sales recovery in June.

Renault was the number one brand in Europe in June, and its Zoe the best-selling EV, with growth of nearly 50% to 37,540 units in the first half and a record level of orders at 11,000 units in June.

In the second half, the group steps up its product offensive with the launch of the E-TECH Hybrid range and Twingo Z.E. in Europe, the arrival of a new Duster in the Americas and a new SUV in India.

Within the COVID-19 pandemic context, Groupe Renault suspended sales and industrial activities in most countries from mid-March and saw its sales fall 34.9% to 1,256,658 units in the first half, in a market down 28.3%.

The group says its sales volume decline was mainly due to its high exposure to countries that have undergone a strict lockdown.

As soon as the recovery began, Groupe Renault’s plants and sales network quickly mobilised to meet customers’ needs, with demand sustained in June by government aid measures in Europe.

“We are starting the second half of the year with a very high level of orders, a satisfactory level of inventory, a rising price positioning across the entire range, and a new E-TECH Hybrid offer that is unique in its segment and already very well received,” Groupe Renault sales and regions senior vice president Denis le Vot says.

Sales volumes of the Renault brand worldwide rose by 38%, with more than 42,000 vehicles sold in the first half.

The electric offensive with the arrival of Twingo Z.E. and the launch of E-TECH Hybrid engines (New Clio Hybrid, New Captur plug-In hybrid (PHEV) and New Megane Estate PHEV), have strengthened the group’s trajectory towards achieving its corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFÉ) objectives for 2020.

In Europe, group sales amounted to 623,854 vehicles, down 41.8% in a market that was down 38.9%. The group successfully renewed all its B-segment models under the Renault brand (Clio, Captur and Zoe).

Outside Europe, the group was particularly affected by the market downturn in Russia (-23.3%), India (-49.4%), Brazil (-39.0%), and China (-20.8%).