Lured by keen pricing, range anxiety over electric vehicles is no longer an issue for Renault customers, says Paddy Magee, Country Operations Director at Renault Ireland
How did Renault perform through 2018?
It was a fantastic year for Renault Group in Ireland and the final year of our five-year plan. During this period we have had growth of 113% compared with 68% in the market. It was a difficult year due to the level of private imports coming from the UK, as a knock-on effect of Brexit uncertainty. On a positive note, the LCV market has grown as a result of the increasing level of business activity.
What was Renault’s bestselling model in 2018?
Overall our bestselling model has been the Megane range, while in fleet Kadjar has been the most popular. Megane’s focus on driving pleasure is reflected in its athletic stance while Kadjar’s go-anywhere versatility is embodied in a robust and imposing appearance. It’s really important for our customers that their car looks good. Comfort and driving pleasure are important too, underpinned by fantastic value in total cost of ownership.
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What model is Renault’s best family buy?
Kadjar has established itself as a firm favourite with families, thanks to a versatile interior and a great multimedia package that keeps everyone entertained. For larger families it’s hard to beat the eye-catching Grand Scenic — its flexible and luxurious 7-seat interior adapts to any task.
What's your personal favourite Renault car?
The Kadjar is a fantastic all-rounder, with comfort and space for the entire family, wrapped in an imposing and stylish body. And while we’re introducing a powerful new 140hp petrol turbo engine in January, Renault’s 1.5 dCi engine is my choice for its perfect blend of performance and remarkable fuel consumption.
What executive model do you recommend?
The Koleos is by far our most luxurious car, with a spacious and comfortable interior and a massive boot. This is combined with smooth and efficient performance and a range of comfort and safety features that many competitors charge extra for. Every Koleos includes navigation with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, dual zone climate control, parking camera and electric sunroof as standard. And Koleos looks after your safety too, with automatic lights and wipers, auto high/low beam, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition as standard.
What new models are on the way?
We’ve expanded our Megane and Scenic models with an exciting new 140hp 1.3 TCe engine. The ZOE is better than ever, with the new Expression Z.E.40 being the only long-range EV under €25,000. The Dynamique and Signature are more fun to drive with a new 110hp motor. This month we launch a new Kadjar facelift, with improved spec and sleeker styling. The second half of the year sees the launch of an all-new Clio, which will introduce technology that’s completely new to the segment.
How strong is demand for Renault electric vehicles?
2019 pre-order demand for ZOE has tripled compared with a year ago, and range anxiety is no longer an issue. The great thing about being able to offer a long-range ZOE at under €25,000 is that customers now realise affordability is a reality. Once your customer’s interest in EVs is awakened by an attractive purchase price, they realise that the real savings kick in after purchase, with negligible fuel costs and a massive reduction in maintenance costs.
What’s your view on the future for diesel vehicles?
The market is clearly moving from diesel to petrol. The great news for these customers is that our 2019 range includes several new petrol versions, including Megane, Kadjar and Scenic models powered by the exciting new 1.3 TCe 140 engine. That said, we’re already seeing a strong order take on diesel models for 191, so clearly a lot of customers still see that fuel savings on diesel can quickly outweigh the higher initial purchase price.
