The Groupe Renault Plant in Tangiers has just produced its 1,000,000th car in 5 years.

• The Tangier plant has produced its millionth vehicle, a Dacia Lodgy.
• The landmark figure is reached in just over five years following the plant’s inauguration in 2012.
• The design of this efficient and eco-friendly plant, which is unrivalled in the automotive industry, is based on two pillars: zero CO2 emissions and zero industrial effluent discharges.

Groupe Renault is proud to celebrate the production of the millionth vehicle at the Renault-Nissan plant in Tangier: a five-seat, Azurite Blue Dacia Lodgy powered by a diesel engine and sold to a customer in Turkey. 

In all, 474,840 Sanderos, 320,078 Dokkers and 193,181 Lodgys have been manufactured in Tangier since the plant’s inauguration in 2012. In addition to covering the Moroccan market, the models built at the factory are exported to more than 73 destinations.

The inauguration of the Tangier plant’s first production line in February 2012, in the presence of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI and Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Groupe Renault, and the launch of a second line in 2013, marked a turning point in Morocco’s automotive sector. Indeed, it was the birth of the biggest car manufacturing plant south of the Mediterranean.

Today, the plant operates in three eight-hour shifts per day, six days a week, with an annual production capacity of 340,000 vehicles. The Renault-Nissan Tangier plant, a main driver of the Moroccan economy, supports Dacia brand growth by exporting the majority of its production. Half of all Dacias are produced in Morocco at either the Tangier plant or at the SOMACA facility in Casablanca.

Groupe Renault implanted in Morocco since 1928 and is the number one manufacturer in the Moroccan market with its two brands, Dacia and Renault. Four vehicles out of 10 sold in Morocco are sold by the Groupe Renault. The Renault plant in Casablanca (SOMACA) has produced Renault models since 1966, and Dacia model since 2005.

As Groupe Renault’s first plant designed to generate zero CO2 emissions and zero industrial effluent discharges, Tangier continues to set an example in the automottive industry today.

A ‘CO2 emissions-free’ design based on two pillars:

• More than 90 percent of needs fulfilled by renewable energies, notably through an innovative biomass heating plant (100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions saved per year).
• Energy efficiency for optimised consumption performance (energy savings of 45 percent* in the paint shop).

The elimination of industrial effluent discharges through:

• 100 percent recycling of industrial wastewater. A true, closed-loop treatment plant that saves around 900 cubic metres of water per day.
• Controlled consumption of industrial water, through optimized processes. A saving of 70 percent compared to a conventional plant with equivalent capacity.

*Compared to the average across Groupe Renault plants

The 4,000,000th Dacia was sold to a French resident that took their new car to the Dacia Picnic in France.

• Dacia has sold 4 million Dacias worldwide since relaunching in 2004
• Denys Charrasse, who bought the 4 millionth Dacia vehicle, was greeted by thousands of participants at the 2016 Dacia Picnic in France on Sunday

Dacia continues to grow, selling its 4 millionth vehicle and setting a new record in its young history. 

This milestone was celebrated with the Dacia community at its annual picnic on Sunday at Domaine de Courson in France. With his purchase of a Duster, Denys Charrasse became the brand’s 4 millionth customer and, in turn, a part of Dacia’s history. 

Mr Charrasse was welcomed and celebrated at the Dacia France Picnic by more than 11,000 participants at the event, who had the opportunity to sign a commemorative Duster prepared for the occasion.

Dacia is enjoying great success in the 44 countries around the world where its vehicles are marketed. Since the beginning of the year, the brand ranks fifth in the passenger car segment in France, with its Sandero already a leader of the passenger cars sold to individuals. 

In the UK, Dacia regularly outperforms much larger and well-established brands in its segment thanks to strong Sandero, Duster and Logan MCV sales, with over 78,000 Dacias sold in the UK since its launch in April 2013.

Dacia has won numerous awards in the UK since launching just over three years ago including What Car?’s ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’ for four consecutive years for the Sandero.  

One of the UK’s largest automotive owner satisfaction studies, Auto Express Driver Power, has placed Dacia in its top five best manufacturers for three consecutive years, out of 32 brands featured in the 2016 survey, with customers praising the brand’s reliability in particular.

The eighth edition of Dacia’s yearly picnic was again a great success. Customers and their families enjoyed a day full of events such as volleyball, football, sailing, photo booths and workshops. Dacia organises these events across the world to thank its enthusiastic customers and ever-growing community.

Dacia UK’s Dacia Day for owners will take place on 13^th August at Bruntingthorpe. More information will be provided via the Dacia UK Facebook page in the coming weeks.

Renault Commercial vehicle sales have moved the brand into a world player from a European one.

• Last year saw Groupe Renault deliver another strong performance in the global LCV market, with sales increasing by 12.4 per cent. With a market share of 3.8 per cent, it grew from being a top regional leader to a top global player.
• In a European market up 11.4 per cent, Renault’s LCV sales rose to 16.9 per cent, equivalent to the sale of 29,000 additional vehicles. Meanwhile, market share recorded a 0.7 percentage point increase to reach 15 per cent.
• In Europe, Renault is the best-selling LCV brand for the 18th consecutive year.
• From regional leader to top global player

Globally, Groupe Renault delivered a strong year in the LCV market in 2015, with sales reaching 387,000 units, an increase of 12.4 per cent in spite of a 6.3 per cent dip in the total market (excluding North America).

Renault’s share of the global LCV market stood at 3.8 per cent, an improvement of 0.6 percentage points over 2014.

In 2015, Renault sold 92,400 units outside Europe. This performance was achieved despite headwinds in terms of total sales in key markets like Brazil and Algeria. Groupe Renault performed in all regions except AMI (Africa, Middle East, India) where sales were particularly impacted by market conditions in Algeria.

Renault’s products are sold in 112 countries and the brand stands out as a top-three player in many of them. 

• AMI (Africa / Middle East / India): Renault has been number one seller in North Africa since 2010 in terms of market share, with a score of 15.7 per cent in 2015. The Kangoo, Master and Dokker top the Algerian and Moroccan markets.
• Latin America: Renault has been one of the three best-selling brands in South America since 2008 thanks to the performance of the Kangoo and the Master. Market share reached 3.9 per cent in 2015, a 0.57 percentage point increase despite difficult contexts in Brazil and Argentina. The Duster Oroch, Renault’s first half-ton pickup, was launched in November in Brazil where it claimed two “Pickup of the Year” awards. This new model breaks new ground in the segment in Latin America and will continue to contribute to growth in 2016.
• Asia/ Pacific: volumes reached their highest level for 15 years in the Asia/Pacific region, helped by Renault’s performance in Australia. Unit sales in the country increased by more than 10 per cent in 2015. The Kangoo and the Master emerged as the second and third best-selling models respectively.
• Eurasia:market share was up 1.7 percentage points to 8 per cent, buoyed by Renault’s main market in the region, Turkey, where the number of unit sales was up 80 per cent.

An 18-year success story in Europe

Renault topped the European LCV sector, as defined by ACEA* (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association), for the 18th consecutive year due to the strong performances of the Kangoo, the Master and the multiple award-winning Trafic.

In a European market that expanded by 11.4 per cent, Renault’s LCV sales were up in all the main markets, including Germany, Italy, Spain and, especially, the United Kingdom which achieved its best ever sales (up 1.2 percentage points).

In France, too, Renault’s market share increased by 1.2 points to 32.85 per cent, the brand’s best performance since 2006. The Kangoo, Trafic and Master all topped their respective segments.

“We are proud to have maintained our lead in Europe for the 18th consecutive year. This result is evidence of our determination to offer our customers a comprehensive, tailor-made range of LCVs that has been consolidated by the launch of the new Trafic,” says Pascal Schmitt, VP, Global LCV Sales & Marketing.

LCV expertise

Renault’s LCV expertise is boosted by its dedicated Technical Centre in Villiers Saint-Frédéric, France, where such highly successful models as the Kangoo, Trafic and Master were developed. The centre’s facilities and engineering teams are perfectly geared to developing and testing new vehicles, including the production of prototypes and simulation work, as well as the development of manufacturing processes.

The manufacturing excellence of Renault’s factories is recognised by other LCV brands, as illustrated by solid partnerships with GM, Daimler, Renault Trucks and, more recently, Fiat, as well as with Renault’s Alliance partner, Nissan.

Renault has production plants on three continents: 

South America: Renault manufactures the Kangoo in Argentina and the Master in Brazil. 

Africa: Groupe Renault produces the Dokker in the newest plant in Tangier, Morocco, where output increased by 28 per cent to more than 71,000 units.

Europe:the efficiency of Renault’s three French factories has resulted in new production records:

• Batilly: 126,575 vans were produced (including vans for Renault’s partners) to beat the previous record of 112,142 units established in 2006. One Master comes off the line every two minutes
• Sandouville:93,000 new Trafics and vehicles for GM were produced at the Sandouville factory. A new medium-sized van based on the Trafic platform will be made at the factory for Fiat from mid-2016.
• Maubeuge:151,000 Renault Kangoos and Mercedes Citans were manufactured in Maubeuge, an increase of 9 per cent over 2014.

Renault Pro+ is Groupe Renault’s worldwide expert brand committed to serving buyers and users of light commercial vehicles, providing tailor-made products and services through a highly-trained specialist network. The Renault Pro+ expert brand embodies Renault’s promise to its LCV customers and will continue to help to drive its ambitions in the global LCV marketplace in 2016.

“Our strong global results, with a 12.4 per cent growth, give us confidence for the future. We are also proud to confirm our leading position in Europe for the 18th consecutive year.  2015 has been indeed rich particularly with the launch of our new LCV expert brand Renault Pro+ which illustrates our willingness to offer our customers a comprehensive and tailor-made LCV range.”

Ashwani Gupta, Global Head of LCV Business

Renault’s UK van sales increased significantly in 2015 to 25,458 vehicles – up 39.5 per cent compared to 2014 and significantly outpaced the UK van market which grew by 15.5 per cent. Renault’s UK van market share stood at 6.7 per cent for 2015 – up 1.2 percentage points on 2014.

(*) ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers' Association) market definitions:

EU15: Member States prior to 2004 enlargement: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

EU11: Member States having joined the EU since 2004: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia (data for Malta and Cyprus unavailable)

EU: EU15 + EU11

EFTA: Iceland, Norway and Switzerland

Enlarged Europe: EU + EFTA

After ten years under Renault and three years in the UK, the 3,500,000th Dacia has been sold in the UK.

• In just over ten years, Dacia has won over more than 3,500,000 customers in Europe and the Mediterranean basin
• The 3,500,000th Dacia sold was a Sandero Stepway purchased by Jody Panov, a customer of SMC Dacia, Aldershot
• Denis Le Vot, Sales & Marketing Senior Vice President for Europe G9, handed over the car’s keys at the dealership on Friday 6^th November 

Almost three years after its launch in the UK, the 3,500,000^th global Dacia customer was handed the keys to her Sandero Stepway by Denis Le Vot, Groupe Renault’s Sales & Marketing Senior Vice President for Europe G9, at SMC Dacia in Aldershot, Hampshire on Friday.

Jody Panov, a married mother of two, is now the happy owner of a Dacia Sandero Stepway – the first new car she has ever purchased – the 3,500,000^th Dacia sold since the brand’s revival in 2004.

Jody took an interest in the Sandero Stepway after her parents returned from a trip to Turkey. During their trip, Jody’s parents saw many Dacias on the road and suggested that their daughter find out more, because they 'seemed like good cars’. Above all, it was the Dacia supermini’s design that won Jody over when she visited the SMC Dacia dealership to investigate, and, as a result, ordered the Sandero Stepway!

“Today we are handing over the key to the 3.5 millionth Dacia and I am very pleased to be doing so in the UK, where the brand was launched in 2013,” said Le Vot. “In reaching this milestone of 3.5 million customers, Dacia confirms its success thanks to a clear and simple promise that perfectly meets the expectations of customers seeking safe, reliable cars with modern features and services at affordable prices.”

Also in attendance at the handover was Managing Director of Group Renault UK, Ken Ramirez: “Dacia has enjoyed fantastic success in the short period since it launched in the UK and is now the country’s first choice ‘smart buy’ car brand. Dacia is young and fresh, but above all, it offers the consumer ‘shockingly affordable’ value for money with a no-nonsense approach to purchasing a safe and reliable new car. Mrs Panov is now one of 3.5 million customers who agree with the Dacia way of motoring, and I hope she and her family enjoy their brand-new Dacia Sandero Stepway.”

Jody said: “The Sandero Stepway is the ideal family car for us and I love the looks and how it’s got a good level of standard equipment with sat nav and parking sensors. I couldn’t believe how affordable it was and when I was at the dealership to place the order, I kept thinking there must be some hidden cost somewhere! Then finding out that I was the 3.5 millionth person to buy a new Dacia was even more of a surprise.”

SMC Dacia in Aldershot has represented Dacia ever since the brand was launched in the UK, and the family-owned dealer group also operates a further Dacia dealership in Weybridge.

Mike Jeffs, General Manager, SMC Dacia, Aldershot, commented: ‘We’re extremely pleased to present Mrs Panov with the 3.5 millionth Dacia and she joins the ever-increasing amount of customers who we have introduced to the brand, our sales growing year-on-year as more and more drivers recognise the brand’s unrivalled blend of value and quality.”

In the UK, Dacia regularly outperforms much larger and well-established brands in its segment thanks to strong Sandero, Duster and Logan sales, with over 62,000 Dacias sold in the UK since its launch in April 2013. Mrs Panov certainly isn’t alone in her purchase of the Sandero, as the most popular vehicle in the line-up has sold more than 37,000 examples in under three years. October year-to-date, Dacia sales represented 21,804 vehicles, increasing by 5.7 per cent compared to last year.

It’s a similar situation of growth in Europe for Dacia, with sales increasing by 5.5 per cent during the first half of the year to 205,436 units. In France, Dacia steadfastly remains in fifth place on the passenger vehicle market, with 5.3 per cent of market share, and in fourth place overall for retail customer sales.

FRANKFURT - Dacia showcases a new Limited Edition Duster, New Tech and a Clutch-less Gearbox.

Translated by Google - Apologies for any errors caused.

• For the first time, Dacia proposes a gearbox piloted for central range: Easy-R, manufactured in the factory of Seville.
• Dacia Duster 2016 Edition presents the new green Altaï and offers a richer content including two new upholstery, black diamond wheels, the Evolution MEDIA NAV multimedia and navigation system and reversing camera, hitherto unpublished in Dacia.
• Dacia Duster Edition 2016 also debuts the limited series Urban Explorer

For the first time, Dacia included in its bid a gearbox piloted called Easy-R. Associated with the TCe 90 engine with Stop & Start, the 5-speed gearbox, manufactured in the factory in Seville, it gives the driver easier to use thanks to the convenience of a gearbox without a clutch pedal. Easy-R will be available in Logan MCV and Sandero in Spain from March 2016.

Two years after the renovation of Duster, Dacia confirms its dynamism and still offers more content and design changes in its flagship model. New upholstery, black diamond wheels, Evolution MEDIA NAV multimedia and navigation system and reversing camera ratify the adventurous character of Duster 2016 Edition.

Dacia proposes piloted gearbox Easy-R to its core range

Dacia enriches its mechanical offer:

Easy-R will be available in Spain in Logan, Logan MCV and Sandero from March 2016. The proposed price for this offer will be affordable, according to the values ​​of the Dacia brand.

The gearbox piloted Easy-R, which will be associated with the TCe 90 petrol engine, combines driving comfort and sobriety. With its power of 90 hp and torque of 140 Nm, the TCe 90 engine delivers a reactive recoveries at low revs and provides real driving pleasure, both city and road. Equipped with the Stop & Start system, their combined consumption is 4,9L / 100km [1] and the emissions of CO ₂ of 109 g / km [2] , identical to those of a manual gearbox.

Easy-R: transmission without a clutch pedal, affordable for everyone

Easy-R completes the mechanical supply of Dacia. This speed box piloted meets the expectations of customers looking for a more flexible line and adapted to the urban environment.

As a gearbox without a clutch pedal, Easy-R is comfortable and easy to use and provides driving comfort. It is equipped with electromechanical actuators (controlled by a computer) that replace the driver at the time of clutch, shift gears or disengage. The gearbox Easy-R has 2 driving modes adapted to every need: Drive or Manual (sequential).

Mode Drive , the computer is in control gear selection depending on traffic conditions. The gear change operated by the calculator is based on information such as engine speed, vehicle speed, type of driving, etc.

Mode Manual / Sequential, the driver decides gear shifting.

Compared to a traditional box-speed manual gearbox piloted Easy-R provides:

-        More comfort and ease of use :

• Mode Drive relieves the driver of certain manipulations (declutching, gearshift and clutch). Box select the best compromise between consumption and acceleration. Thus avoiding both circular sub-system and overspeed and stalling the engine in normal use.
• position Manual / Sequential , the driver decides and makes himself the speed change to a more dynamic and responsive driving. So, you can select the most appropriate speed in case of unforeseen overtaking or poor adhesion on a snowy road. To do this, simply press the lever and select position M + - to move to a higher or lower gear.
• If strong acceleration is required, the box automatically reduced to a lower gear and delivers maximum performance immediately available (kick down). You can reduce one or two relationships to access the full power of the engine, which is useful for example in the additions.
• More maneuverability : in position Drive , the drive is optimized. When you lift your foot off the brake, the vehicle slowly forward or back independently, without the accelerator pedal is depressed. This feature facilitates maneuvers at low speeds (parking, parking online ...) and stabilizes the car on gently sloping areas, complementing the Hill Start Assist. Finally, this feature is also useful in traffic jams.

-        Consumomoderado : piloted gearbox offers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions identical to the manual version. Since the actuators was no longer involved a gear change, energy consumption Easy-R is much lower than a traditional automatic transmission.

Quality - Durability: The move to electromechanical technologies instead of hydraulic steering provides a more subtle and ensures better durability and reliability. The gearbox piloted Easy-R has undergone 130,000 hours of tests on test benches. In addition, 100% of piloted gearbox Easy-R pass control to leave the factory assembly lines.

Dacia engines range evolve

The engine of the Dacia range evolve to move to the Euro 6 standard:

- From now on, all Dacia engines have the Stop & Start system and energy recovery during braking (Energy Smart Management)

- All diesel engines have a range filter nitrogen oxides. The solution which has chosen the brand is the most affordable and beneficial for the customer since no maintenance.

These developments allow significant reductions in consumption:

For example, Sandero, Logan and Logan MCV:

- TCe 90 petrol engine: saving 0.1L / 100km, 7 g CO2 / km less, ie 109 g CO2 / km

- New dCi 90 diesel engine: 0,3l saving / 100km, 9 g of CO2 / km least, that is, 90 g of CO2 / km

In Sandero Stepway:

- TCe 90 petrol engine: 0,3l saving / 100km, 9 g of CO2 / km less, ie 115 g CO2 / km

- New dCi 90 diesel engine: 0.2l saving / 100km, 7 g CO2 / km least, that is, 98 g of CO2 / km

In Duster:

- New gasoline engine SCe 115: 6.4 l / 100, 145 g of CO2 / km

- TCe 125 petrol engine: saving 0.2l / 100km, 7 g CO2 / km less, ie 138 g CO2 / km

- New dCi 90 diesel engine: 0,3l saving / 100km, 8 g of CO2 / km less, ie 115 g CO2 / km

- New dCi 110 diesel engine: saving 0.5 l / 100km, 12 g CO2 / km less, ie 115 g CO2 / km for Duster 4x2 and 123 g CO2 / km for Duster 4x4

Duster 2016 Edition: new equipment and design changes

Dacia Duster Duster evolves 2016. Edition retains all the design elements that have contributed to the success of Duster and offers even more facilities and style.

Design changes that reaffirm the adventurous look Duster

After just two years after the previous development of Duster, Duster 2016 Edition adopts new alloy wheels 16 inch black diamond which reinforce his style. To ratify his adventurous nature, Duster 2016 Edition includes a new green Altai, which replaces the olive gray.

Inside proposed two new upholstery (black and gray Silicon Federer on black background) discrete technical gray stitching that give more character if possible to Duster 2016. Edition trim levels proposed entry-tone upholstery in black Silicon . Federer gray upholstery on black background will be available for higher levels of equipment. On the other hand, the cosmos gray gray gives way to Platinum (by country and versions), particularly in the door panels, handles and trims the central front.

New equipment

So far available Anniversary Limited Series, the multimedia navigation system MEDIA NAV Evolution is now proposed in Duster Edition 2016 (depending on version). Thanks to this complete multimedia system, Dacia offers the possibility of staying connected very easily.

In addition, the back-up camera is available as an option on 2016 Edition Duster to enjoy more peace and security.

Multimedia and navigation system MEDIA NAV Evolution

• An onboard navigation incorporating TMC traffic information free with proposed alternative itineraries (by country)
• Security alerts (danger zones ...)
• Access connectivity through a specific application: the display, the user enjoys the multimedia content that has been configured through the AHA application that can be downloaded free from your smartphone. The application gives you access inside the vehicle, to your library of multimedia content (webradios, podcasts, music, audio books) and the social networks Facebook® and Twitter®. It also provides real-time information on the closest points, interest like hotels or restaurants. You may contact them directly by phone and launch the route guidance. The vehicle is equipped with steering wheel controls that allow access to speech recognition Apple's Siri (compatible from I-Phone® 4S).
• A more modern interface, with new icons color

Dacia MEDIA NAV Evolution retains all the attributes of successful MEDIA NAV: a large touch screen of 18 cm (7 inches) and a home page that allows easy navigation in the six worlds: radio, multimedia, telephone, map, navigation ( with 2D and Birdview display) and settings. Portable devices such as smartphone or MP3 player connected to the USB jack or the jack plug, which is accessed from the front for improved ergonomics.Thanks to Bluetooth®, Dacia MEDIA NAV Evolution also can enjoy the streaming audio feature to listen without cables, the songs and playlists recorded on the smartphone.

Duster 2016 Edition launches a new limited series for an even more adventurous look

In some European countries, including Spain, a new limited series Urban Explorer with the pack and the pack adventurous look it will be proposed.

The adventurous side pack provides new protections for underbody and wheel arches which reinforce the robustness of Duster. The new diamond black wheels emphasize the elegance of this limited series.

For its part, proposes the pack look front and rear side protection for underbody, rear bodies, doorways and dark metal roof rack and rear windows sobretintados reinforcing its urban, elegant and comfortable look.

Leather steering wheel effort proposed vehicle inner harmony.

Finally, to enjoy the city with complete serenity, limited series Urban Explorer will also offer navigation system MEDIA NAV Evolution series.