Renault Trucks ended 2018 with its fourth consecutive year of sales growth and a total volume of 54,868 vehicles invoiced, up 10% on the previous year. The manufacturer achieved a sales growth of 7.6% in medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles (MHDV), and 15% in light commercial vehicles (LCV).
In Europe (excluding France), 26,830 units were invoiced (+13.5%); in France, 23,581 units were invoiced (+10.1%); and in rest of the world, 4,457 units were invoiced (-8.8%).
In a dynamic European market for vehicles over 6 tons (up 4.2%), deliveries of Renault Trucks vehicles are up 7.6%. This has led to a slight increase in the French manufacturer’s market share, up 0.1 point to 8.5%. In the over 16-ton segment, Renault Trucks’ market share in Europe is up 0.2 points, at 8.9%.
For vehicles between 6 and 16 tons, Renault’s market share is down 0.3 points (6.2%). Registrations are down 3.8% due to the stoppage of the Renault Trucks D cab 2m model. On a like-for-like basis however, penetration remains identical. In its home market, Renault Trucks has strengthened its position as leader, with a 28.1% market share.
Deliveries of Renault Trucks vehicles have fallen 8.8% internationally, with 4,457 trucks invoiced. This downturn can be explained by the introduction of import quotas in Algeria in 2018. The manufacturer is particularly active in Africa, where sales increased 25% in 2018. In French-speaking Africa, Renault Trucks holds 20% of the premium range market (+1 point). The manufacturer recorded good performance in Turkey (+2.1 points with 5.8% of MS) and in the Middle East (+1.1 point with 6.4% MS).
In 2018, Renault Trucks recorded an increase in sales of used trucks, with 8,500 invoiced vehicles, up 23%. Used trucks service offers are also performing well, notably due to the Selection structure warranty, with a penetration rate of 18%, up 6 points.
Used vehicles represent a strategic sector for Renault Trucks. In 2017, the manufacturer opened a used trucks factory at its Bourg-en-Bresse plant to recondition its used vehicles. In 2018, 400 used trucks were reconditioned there to meet customer requirements (compared to 230 in 2017). The aim is for vehicles from the Used Trucks Factory to eventually represent 10% of total sales of used vehicles. After the T X-Road, Renault Trucks launched another model from its Used Trucks Factory in 2018, the T P-Road, a tractor converted into a rigid truck.
Bruno Blin, president, Renault Trucks, said: “This is a record which is extremely important for different reasons for our customers because they see the potential of resale value. Also, we are in a circular economy with the Used Trucks Factory. We transform and deliver vehicles that have been completely refurbished and readapted to the market.”
The after-sales division has reported steady progress of 5% in its spare parts turnover and a healthy increase in the sales of its maintenance contracts. With 32,000 vehicles under contract, the penetration rate of maintenance contracts grew by 5 points in 2018 to reach 23.6% (29% if Clovis Location contracts are included).
“60,000 vehicles now benefit from a Renault Trucks maintenance contract or extended warranty. Transporters have been operating with complete peace of mind since we has extended our warranty on spare parts fitted by an approved Renault Trucks service centre to 2 years, without any mileage restrictions,” says Blin.
Renault Trucks is also investing in fuel efficient vehicles to comply with the CO2 emission limits set by the EU. The manufacturer has announced the launch of the 2019 versions of the T, D and D Wide models, designed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 7% compared to previous versions. Simultaneously, Renault is conducting research into improving the efficiency of diesel vehicles, with its Optifuel Lab 3 laboratory vehicle. The aim is to reduce fuel consumption by 13% for a full heavy vehicle unit by 2020.
