Renault is within sight of securing a 5% share of new car sales in Britain to complete the crucial first stage of a revival plan launched when it withdrew the Laguna range from the company car sector four years ago.<\/p>\n
After growing its registrations by more than 43% to win a 2.7% share of the UK market last year, the French firm is on track to hit the 5% level in the near future, says chief performance officer Jerome Stoll.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have had two fantastic years to reach a position of optimism far removed from our feelings in 2011, when we decided to reduce our product offering,\u201d said Stoll.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now enjoying success again in our showrooms and I think the expansion to 5% is absolutely possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cEverything starts with product and Renault is now introducing good quality vehicles backed by a network that offers good service. By having fewer products, we are able to better care for our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stoll told Fleet News that Renault is not a supermarket operator with a vast array of products. \u201cI want us to be successful but I don’t want to push the network with so many models that the level of service it offers jeopardises customer satisfaction,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In an interview in Paris, Stoll conceded that Renault needed strong models to repair its damaged image and claimed the new Kadjar, a crossover model designed to build on the success of the B-segment Captur, would play a major role in helping the company achieve greater visibility on UK roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still have the potential to develop the Clio in the UK, but there is huge opportunity for us with a C-segment crossover \u2013 I’m confident this new car will help drive our brand further ahead,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Due to be launched at the Geneva motor show next month, the Kadjar will go on sale in autumn at the same time as Renault reveals a replacement for the Laguna \u2013 the D-sector hatchback and estate range it dropped from its UK line-up in 2011.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment, we have no plans to offer the Laguna replacement on the UK market, but you never say never in this business,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"