The Renault group celebrates the first half of the year with increased sales & market leaders.

Groupe Renault sets a half-year sales record with 1.88 million vehicles sold, up 10.4 per cent

• 1.88 million vehicles sold in the first half of 2017, an increase of 10.4 per cent in a market that grew 2.6 per cent .
• All group brands posted increases in sales volumes and market share. The Renault and Dacia brands set half-year sales records. Renault ranks as the second most sold brand in Europe.
• All Regions increased their sales volumes and market share. In particular, the Group recorded a 19.3 per cent rise in sales in the Africa-Middle East-India Region and a 50.5 per cent increase in the Asia-Pacific Region.
• Renault confirms its growth ambitions in 2017, driven by its renewed range, new product launches and the development of its international business activities. 

Groupe Renault PC + LCV registrations worldwide (including Lada) increased 10.4 per cent in the first half of the year, in a market up 2.6 per cent. Group market share now stands at 4.1 per cent (up 0.3 points on 2016). 

The Group and the Renault and Dacia brands set half-year sales records. The group sold 1,879,288 vehicles, the Renault brand 1,342,320 vehicles and the Dacia brand 332,845 vehicles. Renault Samsung Motors sales rose 12.5p er cent and those of Lada rose 12.2 per cent. 

"We set a new record with sales of over 1.88 million vehicles in a six-month period. Our sales volumes and market share increased for all our brands and in all Regions. Our strategy of range renewal and geographical expansion continues to produce results" said Thierry Koskas, member of the Executive Committee and Group Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing. 

In Europe, group registrations continued to grow faster than the market. They increased 5.6 per cent in a market up 4.4 per cent to a total 1,025,146 in the first half of the year. The Group took a 10.8 per cent share of the European market, up 0.1 points. 

The Renault brand alone posted growth of 4.3 per cent, for a market share of 8.2 per cent. Renault benefited in particular from the complete renewal of the Mégane family in 2016. Clio 4 is the second best-selling vehicle in Europe, while Captur ranks as the number one crossover in its category.

Renault maintained its lead in the electric vehicle segment with a market share of 26.8 per cent. Sales volumes increased 34 per cent. Registrations of ZOE, Europe's top-selling electric vehicle, rose 44 per cent. 

The Dacia brand posted a first-half-year sales record in Europe with 245,453 vehicle registrations (up 9.3 per cent) and a 2.6 per cent share of the market. These results were driven by the performance of Sandero phase 2, launched in late 2016, and Duster. 

In France, the Renault brand achieved its best half-year performance in passenger cars in six years. Twingo, Clio, Talisman and Espace all led their respective segments. Dacia topped its sales record with Sandero, the leader in the market of passenger car sales to retail customers. ZOE remains the clear leader in the electric vehicle market, accounting for almost 70 per cent of electric passenger car sales in France with over 9,200 registrations – a year-on-year increase of over 42 per cent. 

Outside Europe, all the Regions increased their sales volumes and market share. Group registrations rose 16.8 per cent in a market that grew 3.4per cent. 

Groupe Renault strengthened its positions with the success of its range: QM6 and SM6 in South Korea, Kaptur, Vesta and Xray in Russia, Koleos in China, Mégane Sedan in Turkey and Oroch in the Americas. 

In the Africa-Middle East-India region, Group registrations rose 19.3 per cent for a market share of 6.4 per cent, up 1.1 points. 

In Iran, sales rose 100.3 per cent for a market share of 9.8 per cent (up 4 points) thanks to the success of Tondar and Sandero. 

In India, Renault continues to rank as the number-one European car brand, with a market share of 3.3 per cent.

In North Africa, group sales grew 10.1 per cent in a market down 8.3 per cent. The Group took a 43 per cent share of the market, up 7.2 points. 

In Eurasia, registrations rose 8.6 per cent in a market that grew 2.5 per cent. The market share of the Group, now including the Lada brand, increased 1.4 points to 24.5 per cent, notably through strong momentum in Russia. 

Returning to growth for the first time in four years, the Russian market grew 6.9 per cent in the first half of the year. The Group increased its sales by 14 per cent (including Lada). 

Lada sales grew almost twice as fast as the market, increasing 12.8 per cent for a market share of 19.5 per cent (up 1 point), driven by the success of the new Vesta and Xray models.

The Renault brand claimed an 8.5 per cent share of the market, up 0.7 points. Kaptur registrations totaled more than 14,140 units for the half-year period. 

With the consolidation of Lada sales volumes, Russia now stands as the group's number-two market. 

In the Asia-Pacific Region, registrations increased 50.5 per cent in a market up 3.6 per cent. 

In China, Renault sold nearly 36,000 vehicles (compared with 9,771 in first-half 2016), of which 21,000 New Koleos, launched in late 2016 and produced locally. 

Renault Samsung Motors posted a 12.5 per cent increase in South Korea in a market that contracted 4.2 per cent. The brand's market share came out at 6.9 per cent (up 1 point) thanks to the success of the latest product launches (SM6 and QM6). 

In the Americas Region, sales grew 14.6 per cent in a market up 8.3 per cent for a market share of 6.5 per cent, up 0.4 points. Sandero, Logan and Duster Oroch confirmed their success. 

Groupe Renault continued to take full advantage of the market recovery in Argentina, increasing its registrations 45.6 per cent in a market that grew 34 per cent. Market share increased 1.1 points to 13.3 per cent. Renault has benefited from the local production of Sandero and Logan since the end of 2016. 

The market in Brazil grew 4.2 per cent in the first half of the year. The group took advantage of the trend, reporting a 5.1 per cent increase in sales and a 7.4 per cent share of the market. 

MARKET OUTLOOK IN 2017 FOR GROUPE RENAULT 

In 2017, the global market should see growth of around 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent. The European market is still expected to grow 2 per cent over the period. The French market is expected to expand by 2 per cent. 

Outside Europe, the Russian market could grow by more than 5 per cent and the Brazilian market by 5 per cent. The growth momentum is expected to continue in China (+5 per cent) and India (+8 per cent). 

In the second half of the year, the Group will continue to take full advantage in Europe of its renewed range and internationally of the momentum of Koleos in China, Kaptur, Xray and Vesta in Russia, QM6 and SM6 in South Korea, and the new SUV range in Latin America. 

Groupe Renault therefore confirms its 2017 sales objectives with growth in sales and market share in Europe and outside Europe. 

UK SALES AUGUST - Ford continues to dominate the UK with a lot of sector leaders, but sales are down overall.

Ford models led both the UK’s passenger car and commercial vehicle sales chart in August, as the company prepared for the key September sales rush with customers collecting new “66-plate” vehicles.

According to the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

• Ford leads UK overall, car and CV sales
• Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus are the first and second best-selling cars
• Ford Transit Custom is the best-selling CV
• Ford has five models in the UK top 20 – Fiesta (1st), Focus (2^nd), Transit Custom (8th), Kuga (10th) and Transit (17th)
• Ford Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Transit Connect, Transit Custom and Ranger all lead their respective segments

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: “Strong Ford CV sales see us holding over 30 per cent of the commercial vehicle market, testament to the strength and breadth of the Transit brand, and with the efficient new EcoBlue diesel engine now installed in the Transit and Transit Custom, we expect to see our share increase further.

“Our car sales also remain strong as we gear up for the bumper September month,  bolstered by the sporty new ST-Line models - Fiesta, Focus, Kuga and Mondeo, and the arrival of the Edge SUV range in our dealerships,” he added.  

According to the official SMMT figures, August car sales in the UK were up 3.3 per cent at 81,640, compared with August 2015. Ford car sales were 11,703, accounting for a 14.3 per cent market share.

Ford Fiesta was the number one best-seller in August, notching up 4,547 registrations for the month and 80,917 for the year to date. The Ford Fiesta, celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, remains the UK’s most popular car by a significant margin – more than 28,000 sales ahead of its nearest rival. The Ford Focus was the UK’s second best-selling car with 2,519 sales in August.

The UK’s top 20 best-selling vehicles also includes Focus (2^nd), Transit Custom (8^th), Kuga (10^th), and Transit (17^th), while Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga, EcoSport, B-MAX and the entire Ford commercial vehicle line up are all in the top-three in their respective market segments in August.

UK light commercial vehicle sales in August were up 6.3 per cent at 15,385 compared with August 2015. Ford light and medium commercials sales were 4,040, up 4.1 per cent compared to August 2015, with share up 4.1 per cent to 30.3 per cent year to date.   

The Ford Transit Custom remains the UK’s best-selling commercial vehicle with 1,582 registrations in August and total sales year to date of 31,940, up 18 per cent compared with the same period last year.

UK SALES JULY - Ford remains the brand to beat with no fewer than SIX segment leaders.

Ford of Britain has posted its strongest-ever commercial vehicle (CV) sales volume for the month of July, as it boosted its overall sales lead over its nearest UK competitor.

According to the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

July 2016 highlights:

• Ford recorded 7,804 CV sales – it’s highest-ever, and 11.3 per cent up on July 2015
• Ford recorded total vehicle sales of 30,051 and share of 14.6 per cent - 3.4 percentage points ahead of nearest rival
• Fiesta remains UK best-seller, Transit Custom leads CV sales
• Ford has five models in the UK top 20 – Fiesta (1st), Focus (4th), Transit Custom (9th), Kuga (13th) and Transit (20th)
• Ford Fiesta, C-MAX, Transit Courier, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger all lead their respective segments

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: “Ford’s CV sales volume is the highest we’ve ever seen in July, surpassing the previous record set in 2007, and with the efficient new EcoBlue diesel engine now in the Transit range, we expect to see our share increase further.

“Our car sales also remain strong as we gear up for the bumper September month,  bolstered by the sporty new ST-Line models - Fiesta, Focus, Kuga and Mondeo, and the arrival of the Edge SUV range in our dealerships,” he added.  

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales for July were 178,523, up 0.1 per cent compared with July 2015. Ford car sales were 22,247, 2,514 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.

The Ford Fiesta remains the UK’s best-seller with 7,990 registrationsand 4.5 per cent of the total UK market share for July; 2,384 sales and 1.3 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival.

The UK’s top 20 best-selling vehicles also includes Focus (4^th), Transit Custom (9^th), Kuga (13^th), and Transit (20^th), while Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga, Mondeo, Galaxy, and the entire Ford commercial vehicle line up all take a top-three place in their respective market segments in July.

UK light commercial vehicle sales in July were down 0.2 per cent at 24,506 compared with July 2015. Ford light and medium commercials sales were 7,804, up from 7,009 in July 2015, an increase of 11.3 per cent, with share up from 26.8 to 29.7 per cent. 

UK SALES JUNE - Ford leads most of it's segments and are still the brand to beat in the UK.

Ford was the UK market leader in total vehicle, car and commercial vehicle (CV) sales in June. Ford achieved its highest June CV and fleet car volume on record.

According to the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

June 2016 highlights:

• Ford total vehicle sales 41,284 and a sales share of 13.9 per cent, 3.1 percentage points ahead of nearest rival
• Fiesta is UK best-seller, Transit Custom and Transit lead CV sales
• Ford has five models in the UK top 20 – Fiesta (1st), Focus (3rd), Transit Custom (9th), Kuga (14th) and Transit (19th)
• Ford Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, Galaxy, Fiesta Van, Transit Connect, Transit Custom, Transit and Ranger all lead their respective segments

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  “Sales remain surprisingly strong, despite the market hiatus around the referendum, which firmly underlines the success of exciting model range. We continue to consolidate and extend our long-standing UK market leadership through continued investment in exciting products and industry-leading technologies, delivered by the strongest UK dealer network.

“It’s a very busy time and, going into the summer, we are looking forward to full availability of the newly announced ST-line model range of Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo. Deliveries have commenced of the new Ford Edge, our flagship SUV, and the new S-MAX Vignale will be arriving in dealerships soon. Our highly successful Ford Transit and Transit Custom commercial vehicles also benefit this summer with the launch of the all-new Ford EcoBlue diesel engine, delivering significant cost of ownership and performance improvements for our customers.”

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales in June were down 0.8 per cent to 255,766 units, compared with June 2015. Ford car sales were 30,244, 4.666 registrations ahead of its nearest rival.

Ford maintained its lead in retail car sales, which most accurately reflect the preferences of private buyers.  For June, Ford is four percentage points of retail car sales share ahead of its nearest rival.

The Ford Fiesta remains the UK’s best-seller with 11,357 registrations in June, 2,520 sales and 0.9 percentage points of share ahead of its nearest rival. The broad customer appeal of Ford’s car range is demonstrated by Fiesta, B-MAX, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga, Mustang and Galaxy all occupying top three places in their respective market segments in June, boosted by more than 4,500 UK orders for the Focus RS.

UK light commercial vehicle sales in June were up 2.7 per cent at 36,700 compared with June 2015.  Ford light and medium commercials sales were 10,868 up from 10,547 compared with June 2015, corresponding to a 3.1 per cent increase compared with June 2015.