Renault Group October Sales Fall 14.1 Percent Globally
Renault Group sold 188,116 vehicles worldwide in October 2008, with declines in Europe and Asia offset by growth in Brazil and Algeria.
Renault Group reported global sales of 188,116 vehicles in October 2008, a 14.1 percent decline compared with the same month the previous year. The figure covers passenger cars and light commercial vehicles across the group's three brands: Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors.
Brand performance: Renault, Dacia, Renault Samsung Motors
The Renault brand saw sales drop 16.9 percent year-on-year. Dacia, in contrast, continued to expand, with sales up 20.2 percent. Renault Samsung Motors (RSM) experienced a sharp 27.7 percent fall, reflecting a difficult period in the South Korean market, where the brand is based.
Regional trends: Europe, Americas, Euromed, Asia-Africa
In Europe, Renault Group sales fell 16 percent in October, in line with a 15 percent drop in the overall market. Germany proved more resilient, with Renault Group sales down 7.7 percent against an 8.8 percent market contraction, resulting in a 0.1 point gain in market share. The group lost ground in Spain, Italy and the UK, but managed to increase market share in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland.
The Americas region saw the group outperform the market, with sales down 9 percent in a market off 12.1 percent. Brazil stood out, with Renault Group sales rising 24.9 percent despite a 3 percent market dip, increasing market share by 0.9 points. The group sold nearly 3,000 Sanderos in Brazil that month. In Argentina, sales fell 3.2 percent, slightly less than the market's 4.5 percent contraction, resulting in a modest market share gain.
In the Euromed region, sales fell 13.7 percent as the market lost 5.7 percent overall. Romanian sales dropped 29.9 percent, closely tracking the country's 29.5 percent market decline, though Renault Group's market share remained high at 36 percent. Russia saw group sales rise 2.3 percent in a flat market. Morocco posted a 4.1 percent increase, while Algeria's 60.8 percent sales jump delivered a market share gain of more than five points.
Asia-Africa was the only region where the market grew, up 3.9 percent, but Renault Group sales fell 5.3 percent. RSM sales in South Korea dropped 28.6 percent despite a rising market. In Iran, the group delivered over 5,200 Logans during the month.
Market context and outlook
The October results reflect the global downturn that hit automotive sales in late 2008, with Europe and Asia particularly hard hit. The group's performance in Brazil and Algeria provided some relief, but the overall trend was negative across most key markets. The resilience of Dacia and market share gains in selective European countries offered some positive signs, but the group faced ongoing challenges as the global financial crisis deepened.
- Renault Group global October sales: 188,116 units (-14.1%)
- Renault brand: -16.9%
- Dacia: +20.2%
- Renault Samsung Motors: -27.7%
- Europe: -16%
- Brazil: +24.9%
- Algeria: +60.8%
