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Renault Group recorded sales growth in 2024

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In 2024, Renault Group sold 2.26 million vehicles worldwide, and the best-selling French brand Renault sold 1,577,351 passenger and light commercial vehicles, an increase of 1.8% compared to 2023.

On the European market, Renault sold 1,009,672 vehicles, which is a growth of 3.3 percent compared to the same period a year earlier. The French brand is pursuing its strategy by relying on its well-known hybrid offer (40% of sales) and, on the other hand, on its 100% electric offer, which has won two consecutive Car of the Year awards (Scenic E-Tech and Renault 5 E-Tech – the best-selling electric vehicle in France in the last two months of last year). Renault is also performing positively in the light commercial vehicle market, where it is the leader in Europe with 310,458 registrations (+4.6%).

Other brands from the Renault Group are also recording positive results. Dacia sold 676,340 cars worldwide, which is 2.7 percent more than the previous year, with significant market share growth in Italy (+13.1%), Spain (+12.4%), Belgium and Luxembourg (+15 .4%), but also to Morocco (+16.3%). This was achieved thanks to the brand’s top-selling models: Sandero, Duster, Jogger and Spring. The same is expected this year, when the Bigster model will hit the market, for which orders are open at the beginning of January.

Alpine also recorded sales growth compared to the previous year with 4,585 vehicles sold (+5.9%). The brand’s strongest markets were Italy (+37.5%), the United Kingdom (+24.9%), Spain (+19.3%) and Germany (+10.6%), while 2024 was marked by the arrival of the first fully electric hot hatch, the A290 GTS.

Dacia Sandero is still a hit, retaining its position as the best-selling car in Europe in 2024 with more than 300,000 deliveries.

Source: Renault Group

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Dacia has the most loyal customers

The Romanian car manufacturer Dacia, as part of the Renault Group, has been recording outstanding results lately with more cars delivered than Renault. It’s an extraordinary result, but one study shows that this car manufacturer has the most loyal customers.

According to Dataforce research, almost 80 percent of current Dacia customers in Germany would buy their car again. Also, indicators show that the percentage of their loyal customers is 20 percent above the average in the auto industry.

“Dacia manages to attract exactly those customers who keep coming back. It’s something almost no one else can do,” said Marc Odinius, CEO of Data Force.

Tesla is in second place with 75 percent of customers returning to the American brand, while Mazda is in third place. At the same time, Tesla is the brand with the most loyal customers in the electric car segment, ahead of Volkswagen and BMW.

In 2023, Dacia revealed the third generation of the model that has the most loyal customers, the Dacia Duster. The car will be available for a larger number of customers and the entry model will cost around 20,000 euros. Also, Dacia recently premiered the Spring model, and announced that the new Dacia Sandero will be offered as an EV.

Source: Dataforce

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EU introduces additional tariffs on vehicles from China

In September 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is launching an investigation into the privileged position of electric vehicles produced in China due to subsidies. The investigation showed that the Chinese government subsidized cars exported to Europe in various ways, and in response the EU is considering the introduction of additional tariffs.

For a long time, Europe was looking for a way to protect domestic producers. Some suggested joining forces against the Chinese, such as the head of the Renault Group, Luca de Meo. It seems that the temporary decision on additional tariffs is the EU’s first move to protect domestic producers.

According to Automotive News Europe, the temporary tariff rates would apply from July, and European importers must report imports of Chinese electric vehicles through customs registrations. This means that retroactive customs clearance is inevitable.

The investigation also showed that imports from China increased by 14 percent (177,839 vehicles) compared to 2022, and if it continues, it is not doubtful that it could negatively affect employment and overall production. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the EU said it was disappointed by the decision and that the increase in imports was a reflection of the growing demand for electric vehicles.

Manufacturers are trying to resist the increasingly rapid Chinese conquest of the European market, and one of the ways is to continue producing cars with internal combustion engines. In February, Luca de Meo stated that Europe is facing major challenges and that the alienation and disorientation of the European automotive industry will lead to a structural trade deficit for Europe. He also warns that the phase-out of internal combustion engines, which is planned for 2035, could mean a decrease in the competitiveness of the European car industry. According to him, ICEs have been a protective barrier for Europeans for years, and now with the development of electric cars and the increased need for batteries, that protection is disappearing because the Chinese control 75 percent of global battery production.

Mercedes and Škoda have already announced that they will not give up ICE as long as there is demand. Other companies are expected to follow this path as well.

Source: Automotive News Europe