Renault awarded Most Improved Manufacturer in Fleet World Honours Renault Kadjar wins Best Crossover.

• Renault awarded Most Improved Manufacturer in Fleet World Honours
• Renault Kadjar wins Best Crossover in annual awards
• Most Improved Manufacturer award follows major enhancements to fleet operation
• Stylish All-New Kadjar praised for driving style, value for money and strong residuals

Renault has been named as Most Improved Manufacturer and the Renault Kadjar crowned Best Crossover in the 2016 Fleet World Honours. The highly coveted awards were presented at a prestigious ceremony held this afternoon at the historic Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall, London.

Renault won the Most Improved Manufacturer category after its superb performance in 2015 was praised by the Fleet World Honours’ expert judging panel, while the All-New Kadjar topped the Best Crossover category having impressed with its styling, value for money and technology.

Commenting on the judges’ decision to award the brand and the All-New Renault Kadjar, Steve Moody, Editor, Fleet World said: “Renault has shot straight to the top of this class with the Kadjar. It’s one of the best crossovers to drive, adopting the brand’s chic new family styling and packed full of flexibility and useful technology. Add in strong residual values, joint-lowest CO₂ emissions and impressive value for money, and the newcomer sets high standards for the rest of the class.”

Mark Dickens, Head of Fleet Sales and Remarketing, said: “We’re delighted to win these accolades, the Most Improved Manufacturer award recognising the significant investment we have made across all aspects of our fleet operation and the Best Crossover award reflecting the impact the stylish Kadjar has made in only a few months due to its class-leading residual values, stunning design and highly attractive all-round business package.

“2016 will see us build on this success as we expand our C-segment fleet offering with the launch of the All-New Mégane, Mégane Sport Tourer, All-New Scénic and Grand Scénic, and continue our strategy to double the number of specialist Pro+ business-focused dealerships.”

Factors that were instrumental in Renault taking the title of Most Improved Manufacturer included the growth of the demonstrator fleet by 57 per cent and the increase of the corporate team by a third. Call centre personnel were also enlarged by 40 per cent and the Pro+ (Business Centre) specialised dealer network was strengthened with additional openings.

Another contributing factor to being awarded the title was Renault’s popular LCV range, consisting of the Kangoo small van, the all-electric Kangoo Van Z.E, the medium-sized Trafic panel van, as well as the large Master van. A comprehensive range of factory and approved LCV conversions are also available to order.

The enhancements contributed to Groupe Renault UK selling nearly 60,000 fleet vehicles in 2015 – representing a year-on-year increase of 25 per cent. Renault’s LCV sales were also up 40 per cent, for a record year in the UK, making Renault the second fastest-growing LCV brand in the UK, and sales of its official LCV conversions rose by 74 per cent compared to 2014.

The success of the Renault Kadjar in the Fleet World Honours underlines its rapidly-increasing popularity with business users. Emissions as low as 99g/km CO₂, fuel consumption of up to 74.3mpg (NEDC Combined) and Benefit-in-Kind banding from 19 per cent have all contributed to the Kadjar fast becoming a fleet favourite.

In addition to its Fleet World Honours 2016 award, the stylish crossover has already won Best Small SUV at the ContractHireAndLeasing.com Car of the Year 2015 Awards and Best Crossover at the Next Green Car Awards 2015.

Since it arrived in the UK in September 2015, the Kadjar has strengthened Renault’s presence in the crossover market – building on the success of its compact crossover sibling, Captur. Its combination of striking design, efficient powertrains, spacious interior, high levels of standard specification, best-in-class residual values and five-star Euro NCAP rating have proved a hit with British car buyers.

Kadjar is available with a choice of three engines, three gearboxes, five trim levels and two-or four-wheel drive. The range starts from £17,995 OTR and comes with a four-year warranty and Renault Assistance package as standard.

Kadjar’s introduction to the range in 2015 contributed to Renault’s continued sales growth with registrations up by 20 per cent on 2014, growing at over three times the rate of the market, to 101,076 vehicles compared to a market that grew by six per cent.