END OF YEAR WORLDWIDE - BENTLEY - The luxury brand breaks all records as sales continue to grow.

• Bentley Motors delivers a record 11,023 cars in 2016
• 56 per cent growth in Europe, 16 per cent up in UK
• 85 per cent export signals global demand

Bentley Motors delivered 11,023 cars in 2016, a record high and the company’s fourth consecutive year above 10,000 cars. This represents a nine per cent growth on the performance of 2015 (10,100 cars).

The Americas remained Bentley’s number one region, with Europe and the UK both posting sales increases. 

Strong customer demand for the Bentley Bentayga, which reached all global markets during 2016, played a key role in this success.

Commenting on the results, Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer, said:

“The strong performance of recent years has continued through 2016, a year of new models, investment and record demand. We have introduced the world’s first luxury SUV, the Bentayga, opened the first building of our R&D expansion and outlined our ambitions for potential future investment at our factory in Crewe, UK.

“Looking ahead, our focus is to continue to invest in new sector-defining luxury cars, innovative technologies and play a leading role in defining the future of luxury mobility.”

Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Dr. Andreas Offermann, said:

“Our globally-balanced sales success indicates the strength of our brand and products. We introduced a total of six new model variants in 2016 and increased our presence around the world, adding 20 new retailers to make a total of 210 partners in 59 markets.           

“We can take this high level of investment and commitment from our business and retailers into 2017 and start the year in a positive way.”   

The number one customer sales region throughout 2016 was the Americas, closing the year delivering 2,792 cars, against a figure of 2,864 in 2015. This accounted for 25 per cent of global deliveries.      

The introduction of Bentayga to the Americas region in the second half of 2016 saw a record-high performance for a six-month period.          

In Europe, sales were up by 56 per cent with 2,676 cars delivered on the previous figure of 1,695. Bentley’s home market, the UK continued to perform strongly, establishing itself as the third highest selling region, delivering 1,692 cars, up from 1,457 in 2015, an increase of 16 per cent.

Bentley delivered 1,239 cars to the Middle East in 2016, against 1,274 cars in 2015. 

In China, Bentley delivered 1,595 cars, marginally down on the previous year’s figure of 1,615.

The Asia Pacific region delivered 423 cars, against 455 in 2015. Japan and South Korea delivered 606 cars against a total of 740 cars in 2015. 

Renault Group announces Q3 and year to date results.

Positive business momentum in Europe offset declines in Renault group’s main emerging markets. The Group gained market share in all Regions, except for the Americas.

• Renault group registrations were stable in the third quarter of 2014, at 612,934 units;
• European market share increased by 0.2 points to 9.3% in the period. Registrations grew 7.6%, supported by the continuing success of new products, Clio, Captur as well as the Dacia brand;
• Renault group revenues came to €8.530 billion in the third quarter, up 6.7% compared with the same period in 2013;
• Automotive revenues rose by 6.7% to €7.984 billion, thanks in particular to increased sales to partners;
•  Full-year 2014 guidance maintained.

Business results: highlights of the third quarter 2014

In a global automotive market up 3.2%, Renault group registrations were stable at 612,934 units. The Group gained market share in all Regions, except for the Americas.

In Europe, in a market up 5.5%, Renault group registrations increased 7.6% while market share rose 0.2 points to 9.3%. This result is due to the success of top-selling Renault Clio, Renault Captur, leader in its segment of crossovers, and Dacia Sandero, industry leader for the quarter in Spain.

In France, market share for the third quarter fell 0.5 points to a still high level of 25.8%. Cumulative share at the end of September came to 26.9%, 1.5 points higher than in the previous year. Renault Clio is still the best-selling vehicle in France, across all segments.

The Group's strong performance in the United Kingdom (+42.8% with 28,694 units) and in Southern Europe should also be noted: Italy (+30.1%), Spain (+24.0%) and Portugal (+28.2%).

In the third quarter, Dacia's market share was up 0.2 points to 2.4% of the European market. At the end of September, Dacia was still the fastest-growing automotive brand in Europe.

Outside of Europe, the Group's registrations fell 7% and accounted for 48% of total volumes in the period.

In the Americas Region, the Group's registrations fell 20.6% in a market down 8.3%. In Argentina, despite Clio Mio being the market leader, local financial conditions restricted imports, causing Renault registrations to drop by a half in a market that fell nearly 30%. In Brazil, the Group's second-largest market worldwide, market share was stable at 7.1% pending the full effect of New Sandero, which was launched during the summer.

In the Eurasia Region^[1], the Group's registrations fell 13% in a market down 20.3%. In Russia, the Group's third-largest market worldwide, registrations were down 14.7 %. However, Renault's market share increased 0.7 points to 7.8% thanks mainly to the renewal of the New Logan. In Turkey, the drop in the market slowed to -8.9% in the quarter, compared with -23.6% at the end of June. Within this context, Group market share fell by 1 point to 16.1%.

In the Africa, Middle–East, India Region^[2], Group registrations increased by 14.4%, in line with the market. InAlgeria, the market declined more slowly (-6.7% in the quarter, compared with -34.5% at the end of June) while Renault group registrations increased by 9%, driven by Dacia Logan, the best-selling vehicle. The Group gained 4 points of market share, which came to 27.5%. In India, an unfavourable product cycle negatively impacted Renault registrations by -13.3% in a market that recovered by 10% in the period.

In the Asia-Pacific Region, Group registrations increased by 37.1% in a market up 2.8%. In South Korea, Renault Samsung Motors continued to gain market share (+0.2 points, at 4.3%), with volumes up 10.5%, thanks in particular to the success of QM3.

Third-quarter revenues by operating sector

In the third quarter of 2014, Group revenues increased by 6.7% to €8,530 million.

Automotive revenues grew 6.7% to €7,984 million. Sales to partners accounted for 4.4 points as production of assembled vehicles increased in the period.

Despite stable registrations, volumes made a positive contribution of 3.1 points due to a lower reduction in inventory in the independent dealer network during the quarter.

Price increases had a positive impact of 1.1 points and offset in large part the negative 1.3 points currency effect.

Sales financing (RCI Banque) contributed to Group revenues for €546 million, up 6.0% compared with the same period in 2013. Average performing loans, which amounted to €25.6 billion in the third quarter of 2014, increased by 4.1%. The number of new financing contracts increased 5.3% to 301,588 compared with the third quarter of 2013.

Outlook

The European market should increase by 5% this year (compared with 3 to 4%, as previously expected). Our main emerging markets should remain adverse and volatile in the fourth quarter.

Within this context, the Group confirms its guidance:

• increase registrations and Group revenues (at constant exchange rates);
• improve Group operating profit and that of the Automotive division;
• achieve positive Automotive operational free cash flow.

^[1] New scope of the Eurasia Region including Turkey, Romania, Moldavia and Bulgaria previously in the Euromed Region

^[2] Creation of the Africa, Middle-East, India region resulting from the split of Euromed-Africa and Asia-Pacific Regions

Renault group consolidated revenues

(in € million)	2014	2013	Change 2014/2013
1st quarter
Automotive	7,727	7,736	-0.1%
Sales financing	530	529	+0.2%
Total	8,257	8,265	-0.1%
2nd quarter
Automotive	11,012	11,647	-5.5%
Sales financing	551	529	+4.2%
Total	11,563	12,176	-5.0%
3rd quarter
Automotive	7,984	7,483	+6.7%
Sales financing	546	515	+6.0%
Total	8,530	7,998	+6.7%
9 months
Automotive	26,723	26,866	-0.5%
Sales financing	1,627	1,573	+3.4%
Total	28,350	28,439	-0.3%

SEPTEMBER SALES - BENTLEY - The Luxury brand see's sales grow by a massive 19%

• Strong growth continues in the first nine months of 2014
• Global deliveries increase by 19%
• New models drive sales success

Nine months in to 2014 and Bentley’s aim of having a record breaking year is firmly on track. Global deliveries increased by 19%, to 7,786 cars, up from 6,516 cars in the same period in 2013.

Bentley’s four key regions, Americas, China, Europe including the UK, and Middle East all saw strong performance, with the Americas retaining its position as Bentley’s number one market, but with China posting strong growth to close the gap.

New models drove this international success, with the Continental GT V8 S coupe and convertible and Flying Spur V8 entering the market.

Commenting on the results, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Kevin Rose, said:

“We said at the start of the year that 2014 would be a record breaking year for Bentley and we are firmly on track to deliver on our promise. Certain markets are tough, as other luxury car brands can testify, but with our three model lines delivering a perfect blend of luxury and performance, alongside the international appeal that we have as a brand, it will ensure 2014 will go down as our best ever year.”

Remaining in Bentley’s number one position, the Americas delivered 2,107 cars, 4% up on the first nine months of the 2013 performance of 2,022 cars.

Bentley’s sales in China remained solid in a less than buoyant market. 1,959 cars were delivered in the first nine months of 2014, against 1,264 cars in 2013.

A strong German market continued helping Europe to post a sales increase of 7%. 1,155 cars were delivered, in comparison to 1,081 cars in 2013.

UK deliveries also increased, by 5%. Rising from 1,055 cars in 2013, 1,113 cars were delivered.

Significant sales growth in the Middle East continued, a 21% improvement on 2013 (596 cars), with 720 cars delivered. Deliveries in the Middle East have now more than doubled in the past three years.

These results were reinforced in Asia Pacific, with 468 cars delivered, a 49% rise on the 2013 figure of 315 cars. While in Japan, 207 cars were delivered, a 46% growth on 2013, 142 cars.

2013 was Bentley’s previous record year, posting the highest delivery, turnover and profit figures in the company’s 95-year history.