DESPITE A DIFFICULT YEAR, RENAULT TRUCKS HAS PRESERVED ITS MARKET SHARE IN FRANCE AND ITS DETERMINATION TO FORGE AHEAD

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "DESPITE A DIFFICULT YEAR, RENAULT TRUCKS HAS PRESERVED ITS MARKET SHARE IN FRANCE AND ITS DETERMINATION TO FORGE AHEAD"

Brittney Wilson
6 years ago
Views:

CORPORAT COMMUNICATIONS DPARTMNT P R S S RLAS Lyon / March 2010 DSPIT A DIFFICULT YAR, RNAULT TRUCKS HAS PRSRVD ITS MARKT SHAR IN FRANC AND ITS DTRMINATION TO FORG AHAD 2009 was indeed an annus

1 CORPORAT COMMUNICATIONS DPARTMNT P R S S RLAS Lyon / March 2010 DSPIT A DIFFICULT YAR, RNAULT TRUCKS HAS PRSRVD ITS MARKT SHAR IN FRANC AND ITS DTRMINATION TO FORG AHAD 2009 was indeed an annus horribilis for most business sectors. And this was particularly true for commercial vehicles, with uropean all-brand sales plunging by a staggering 47%. Despite this challenging context, Renault Trucks, with a 14,000 strong workforce (10,000 employed in France), and annual sales of 35,600 vehicles in 2009, has retained its ranking as France's 7 th largest exporter will also be the year of the Cape to Cape. Symbolising a company that is continuing to forge ahead, the expedition from Cape North to the Cape of Good Hope was a unique opportunity to proudly fly the brand flag. Renault Trucks also used 2009 to further assert its superiority in the field of fuel efficiency via several innovative developments applied to all its ranges. Therefore, despite the challenges 2009 has brought, Renault Trucks has its sights set firmly on the future, fully confident that its innovative products and ability to go the extra mile to satisfy customer wants and needs will allow it to emerge from the downturn in an even stronger position than before. France's 7 th largest exporter, Renault Trucks has full ownership of its entire manufacturing infrastructure in France. The company has a 10,000 strong workforce in France (and 4,000 abroad) distributed between its production sites at Bourg-en-Bresse (01), Blainville-sur-Orne (14), Lyon (69) and Limoges (87). In 2009, at the height of the economic downturn, Renault Trucks opted for a bold statement of determination and innovation. This determination was epitomised by the Cape to Cape expedition, a technical, human and commercial adventure built around the Renault Trucks (Kerax and Sherpa) vehicles that took part in an epic journey from Cape North in Norway to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. As far as innovation is concerned, all ranges now benefit from technological solutions focused on reducing consumption. This is best expressed via the Construction range's new configurations, achieving a more comprehensive compromise between consumption and pulling power, with the robotised Optitronic gearbox - now available on the Distribution range - delivering consumption improved by up to 7%. On Long Distance models, the Optidriver+ robotised gearbox, now equipping all DXi11 and DXi13 engines as standard, offers savings of up to 3%. There is also Premium Optifuel, backed by rational driving instruction, delivering savings in consumption of up to 6.4%, a figure certified by the TÜV, an independent German certifying body. All ranges are now also able to benefit from Renault Trucks' expertise in terms of fleet consumption management by using Optifuel Programme, which can cut consumption by as much as 15% across an entire fleet. TR B , route de Lyon Saint-Priest Cedex Fax : +33 (0) RNAULT TRUCKS SAS Capital de uros Siège social : 99, route de Lyon SAINT-PRIST siret : RCS Lyon B

Renault Trucks' sales results: HGVs over 6 tonnes: Sales (vehicles invoiced): 22,176 o urope: 15,576 including France: 9,233 o International: 6,483 Registrations: o urope: 22,412 including France:

2 Renault Trucks' sales results: HGVs over 6 tonnes: Sales (vehicles invoiced): 22,176 o urope: 15,576 including France: 9,233 o International: 6,483 Registrations: o urope: 22,412 including France: 12,137 As far as registrations are concerned, Renault Trucks has been able to maintain a market share of 10.1% in urope, with a 34.7% dominance in France, enabling it to pull even further ahead of competing brands in the country. LCVs (between 2.6t and 6t) Sales (vehicles invoiced): 13,425 o urope: 12,675 including France: 7,425 o International: 596 Registrations: o urope: 11,206 including France: 6,084 Total Renault Trucks sales (International, urope, France and Defence) added up to 35,201 vehicles, which is 54% down on the previous year. This figure clearly reflects the particularly harsh difficulties encountered in Sales breakdown in terms of range remains consistent, with Delivery vehicles accounting for 37% of sales, the Long Distance range for 23%, Distribution vehicles for 21% and finally the Construction range for 19%. Sales results for urope (27 countries): Market Although the commercial vehicle market is well-known for its cyclic variations, the plummeting sales of vehicles over 6 tonnes, down 47%, certainly had a numbing effect on the market. The heavy duty range was most severely affected, with sales down 48%, while the medium duty range hardly did any better with its 37% decline. A figure almost as bad as the 35% fall recorded for LCVs. It should be pointed out that, in the midst of all this doom and gloom, Western uropean markets fared rather better than those in astern urope. This context has made it difficult to accurately forecast the outlook for

3 2010. The recovery - if there is one - can only be gradual, with hopes for market growth in 2010 pinned on no more than 10% compared with Renault Trucks For its part, Renault Trucks has recorded results in line with market trends. With 22,412 vehicles registered in 2009 (over 6 tonnes), volumes are 48% lower than in the previous year. However, it has preserved a market share of over 10%. The fall is similar for LCVs (also down 48%) with a market share of 1.6%. It is important to point out that registrations for vehicles over 6 tonnes in 2009 include a large number coming from Renault Trucks network stocks. This explains why the number of vehicles invoiced is so different, since Renault Trucks sales stand at 15,576, which is 63% down on the previous year. Sales for LCVs are 12,675, a 38% drop. Analysis The largest proportion of sales in the uropean market was recorded by the Delivery range, accounting for 45% of all Renault Trucks' sales, followed by the Long Distance range (25%), Distribution vehicles (22%) and the Construction range (8%). Outlook Despite the difficult context, Renault Trucks maintained its position in relation to other uropean manufacturers during 2009, mainly achieved by leveraging the strength of its network. This continued to be developed throughout the year with new dealerships opened in France, the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, together with the setting up of three subsidiaries in Finland, Croatia and Slovenia. In particular, the quality of the Renault Trucks network earned special praise in the British press when the Renault Trucks Midlands dealership, located in Tipton, was awarded the "Dealership of the year" prize by the Motor Transport magazine and an independent jury. This was earned on the basis of its sales performance, gains in productivity and customer satisfaction. As far as Light Commercial Vehicles are concerned, Renault Trucks continued to expand its Fast&Pro network in France and the rest of urope, opening a further 25 of these sales and maintenance areas exclusively dedicated to LCVs. 13 new centres with this label were opened in France, 12 in Italy, the Netherlands and United Kingdom, joining the highly active network already established in Spain, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania. This brought the number of Fast&Pro sites in urope up to 90 in 2009, 50 of which are in France. ncouraged by this ongoing success, Renault Trucks is now aiming to have a network of some 250 Fast&Pro workshops by Sales results for France Over 6 tonne vehicle market 2009 was a difficult year on all markets - and the French market was no exception. It should however be stressed that between 2005 and 2008, the over 6 tonne vehicle market was very buoyant with annual sales in the region of 54,000 vehicles. In 2009, the French market resisted slightly better than the uropean market as a whole, at a little over 35,000 vehicles. It was however a significant 40% down on 2008 figures. Renault Trucks: vehicles over 6 tonnes In 2009, Renault Trucks remained the leader in France on this sector, and increased its lead over rivals. With 12,137 registrations of vehicles in this category, it commands a 34.7% market share, particularly due to the important role it plays on the rigid vehicle market. Actual sales of these vehicles invoiced by RT reached 9,233, which is 54% down on the previous year. The difference between registrations and sales can largely be explained by stock reduction operations in the network.

4 Light Commercial Vehicle market (LCV) The light commercial vehicle market declined somewhat less than other markets, only recording a 28% fall compared with 2008, with double tyred vehicles being more strongly affected than those with single tyres. Renault Trucks: LCVs In 2009, Renault Trucks registered 6,084 light commercial vehicles (down 43.1%) and retained a 4.6 market share. Sales stood at 7,425 vehicles invoiced by Renault Trucks, down 26% on the previous year. Analysis by range The crisis has altered the proportion of sales for each range. Whereas in 2008, sales were more or less equally distributed between the four ranges, in 2009 the Delivery range increased its share, with sales accounting for 45% of sales, compared with 32% the previous year. The Distribution range also increased its share from 23% to 24%. As a result, the Long Distance range dropped from 32% to 22%, and the Construction range from 12% to 9%. International sales results General trend The geographical regions to which Renault Trucks exports its vehicles experienced a slowdown in activities similar to those observed in urope. Although Asia and North Africa were able to resist this trend rather better than average, Russia and CIS member countries suffered rather more. Renault Trucks Since the year 2000, Renault Trucks' export sales had been very healthy, quadrupling between 1993 and However, the crisis severely affected this sector also, with the number of trucks invoiced in 2009 standing at 7,079 vehicles, out of which 6,483 were vehicles over 6 tonnes. - Analysis by geographical zone Algeria (a longstanding market offering almost the entire range) and Tunisia remain Renault Trucks International's main markets, accounting for 50% of its sales. These are followed by "direct" sales to countries in Africa and French Overseas territories. Then come the Middle ast with 10%, followed by Iran with 6%, Morocco 5% and then South America, the CIS countries and Ukraine, each with 1%. - Analysis by range In contrast with other markets, the Construction range is by far the most exported, since it accounts for 62% of Renault Trucks' international sales. Within that range, the Kerax is the unchallenged standardbearer, since it alone accounts for 36% of total sales. It is followed by the Distribution range (16%), Long Distance vehicles (13%) and then the Delivery range (9%). Outlook 2009 was a year of expansion for Renault Trucks on international markets with the opening of several new dealerships, particularly in Algeria (Tlemcen), Tunisia (Bizerte), Russia (Moscou south, Kaliningrad, Tolyatti and Ryazan) Namibia (Windhoek), Guinea (Conakry), Bostwana (Gaborone), the Sultanate of Oman (Sohar), Argentina (Tierra del Fuego, San Juan and Necochea) and most recently in Libya (Tripoli). This growth once again proves Renault Trucks' determination to break into new markets and establish ever closer relationships with its foreign customers.

5 Renault Trucks Défense sales results Bucking the trend at this time of crisis, in 2009 Renault Trucks Défense recorded a 27% increase in turnover compared with This result is largely due to contracts signed jointly by Renault Trucks Défense and Acmat. It also reflects the new contracts signed with the French army (for VBCI and VAB armoured vehicles, as well as GBC vehicles with armoured cabs), the Syracuse III contract (official French approval of the Sherpa Light), good overall sales of the Sherpa Light and large export contracts, particularly those signed in the Middle ast and Africa. Renault Trucks Défense also extended its field of action, developing its "operational maintenance" activity. In this context, RTD signed a long-term partnership with the French army for the maintenance of more than 7,500 tactical and logistics vehicles as well as Armoured Personnel Carriers ((VABs). Appraisal of operations in 2009 Cape to Cape: a resounding success Despite the difficulties faced in 2009, this will be a year indelibly marked by the success of the outstanding Cape to Cape expedition during which 6 Renault Trucks Kerax and 6 Sherpa vehicles crossed urope, Asia and Africa on their epic four-month journey from Cape North (Norway) to the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). The expedition first of all successfully met the technical challenge of such a journey by demonstrating its vehicles' robustness and reliability as well as that of the SCR depollution system in all climates, from the bitterest cold to the most oppressively hot. The company also made this expedition into a human adventure, since the 12 vehicles were driven by members of its own staff. But the entire 14,000 strong Group workforce was also very much involved, since they were able to constantly keep track of the caravan's progress day by day. Finally, in terms of images and sales, Cape to Cape also scored a major success, since it was widely publicised in several media and was also instrumental in sealing more than 300 firm orders for trucks, with a further 500 currently under negotiation. And the adventure continues with the recent publication by Cherche-Midi of a superb book featuring the finest photographs taken during the expedition. Products and services geared to customer needs In 2009, Renault Trucks continued to improve its products and services, constantly focusing on customers and ensuring their needs were satisfied. Delivery range Trafic has been included in this range since the summer of This has enabled Renault Trucks to extend its Delivery range with an LCV of 2.6 tonnes, as well as a robotised gearbox on the Maxity and the new Master, which has been available in Renault Trucks dealerships since March. This is available with a GCW of tonnes, in panel van, chassis cab and crew cab versions, as well as chassis cowl and platform cab versions. There is also a choice of front or rear wheel drive, with single or double tyres, offering a usable volume of up to 17 cubic metres. The panel van version can handle a payload of up to 2,254 kg, while the chassis cab version can carry as much as 2,495 kg - and all with a fuel consumption of less than 81/100 km. Going forward, Renault Trucks is currently developing an allelectric Maxity which will be made available to customers for testing in 2010 before being brought to market during In the field of service, 2009 was Fast&Pro deployment year. With this sales and repair service operating in an area exclusively dedicated to Light Commercial Vehicles staffed by specialised

6 personnel and open for business at times to suit its professional clientele, Renault Trucks aims to provide LCV customers with the benefits of its expertise and earn their loyalty. There are already 50 Fast&Pro workshops currently operating in France. Distribution range The arrival of the uro5 engines has seen an increase in the power ratings available for engines equipping the Distribution range. These now extend from 180 to 300 hp for the Midlum, and from 270 to 460 hp for the Premium Distribution. In response to growing customer demand, the new Optitronic robotised gearbox is now also available on the Midlum and Premium Distribution, delivering fuel savings of up to 7% for vehicles fitted with DXi7 engines. Furthermore, Renault Trucks is continuing to develop its choice of alternative solutions in the Distribution range, currently offering all-electric vehicles together with those running on natural gas (NGV). These are soon to be joined by hybrid vehicles, which a number of international customers are currently testing under real operating conditions prior to their commercial launch. Construction range In the Construction range, Kerax has extended its selection of engines with the switch to uro5, now offering a choice of five: three DXi11 models (380 hp, 430 hp and 460 hp) and two DXi13 models (480 hp and 520 hp). In 2010, Kerax will also be available in a brand new 8x8 version offering the possibility of driving all wheels and specially designed for the most challenging applications. As for the Premium Lander, a one-of-a-kind vehicle on the market and specially designed for worksite supply applications, it has also seen an increase in its uro5 engine power ratings. Customers can now choose between six engine configurations: three DXi7 models (270 hp, 310 hp and 340 hp) and three DXi11 models (380 hp, 430 hp and 460 hp). Its new 8x2*6 configuration enables it to carry an additional 500 kg of payload, offer improved manoeuvrability with a 12.5% tighter turning radius and reduce consumption by up to 10% compared with an 8x4 vehicle. Available in the spring, the OptiTrack system will give customers the possibility of benefiting from temporary 4x4 transmission on a "conventional" 4x2 to enjoy the benefits of 100% mobility whenever this may be necessary. Finally, the decision to offer the Premium Lander 8x4 xtra-light Concrete Mixer with single tyres will allow it to increase its payload of concrete by 250 kg when operating in urban environments. Long Distance range The new uro5 power ratings for the Premium Long Distance are 380 hp, 430 hp and 460 hp (DXi11 engine) and for Magnum, 440 hp 480 hp and 520 hp (DXi13). Long Distance market customers are looking to reduce their fuel consumption, but without lowering their journey speed. Renault Trucks meets this need by offering new engines with optimised fuel consumption and a unique product+services offering. In 2009, Renault Trucks was the first truck manufacturer to offer a comprehensive "truck + service" offering with Premium Optifuel. The Premium Long Distance, the unchallenged market leader for low consumption, is combined with the Optifuel Programme offering which features instruction in rational driving and the Optifuel Infomax consumption management software. The fuel savings it delivers have been measured by an independent organisation which certifies its consumption to be 6.4% lower than that of a Premium Long Distance 450 hp uro5 Incentive vehicle with a manual gearbox and no options. Finally, following on from the great success enjoyed by the Magnum as a result of the Route 66 operation, Renault Trucks has decided to launch a special Magnum Route 66 limited edition with exclusive decoration and upholstery. The Optidriver+ gearbox, which enables consumption to be reduced by up to 3%, is now fitted as standard on all models equipped with DXi11 and DXi13 engines in the Distribution, Construction and Long Distance ranges. Finally, to build an even closer relationship with its customers, in 2009, Renault Trucks launched the Truck Driver Club. This is open to Renault Trucks drivers, and gives them VIP priority access to events as well as exclusive RT production plant visits.

7 nergy management: a strategy focused on customer service The right energy in the right place 2009 was also the year of energy management, clearly demonstrating Renault Trucks' interest in all modes of propulsion. The manufacturer's research has been focused just as much on alternative modes of propulsion as on improving diesel engine performance to limit its consumption and, therefore, its impact on the environment. Renault Trucks believes that it is essential to use the right energy, with the right truck in the right place. Diesel efficiency remains unchallenged Since diesel is still the best performing mode of propulsion in terms of efficiency, Renault Trucks has developed a number of innovative solutions to significantly reduce fuel consumption. The Optifuel Solutions, available on all Renault Trucks ranges (apart from Delivery vehicles) are there to prove it. This is a comprehensive product and service offering which enables customers to reduce the "consumption" item in their operating accounts. It consists of a technological component (uro5 engine and robotised gearbox), a "service" component (Optifuel Programme) which combines instruction in rational driving (Optifuel Training), consumption measurement and management software (Optifuel Infomax) and a Club Optifuel Programme for long-term monitoring. All together, these components deliver savings of up to 15% across an entire fleet. In France alone, more than 200 companies - and some 10,000 drivers - have already benefited from the advantages offered by this programme. In an effort to carry this approach further and imagine how the diesel solution could evolve, in 2009, Renault Trucks launched the Optifuel Lab. Based on a Premium Long Distance with a "conventional" internal combustion engine, this laboratory vehicle tests innovative ideas and solutions designed to reduce consumption. Phase 1 has already demonstrated possible savings of up to 13% and phase 2 is currently undergoing development. Alternative energies In 2009, Renault Trucks developed its Premium Distribution Hybrys Tech, in partnership with some of its biggest customers. A hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine coupled to an electric motor, this enables fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions to be reduced by up to 30% depending on configuration. Three vehicles are currently undergoing trials, two in Lyon (69) and one in Belgium (Brussels). They are expected to attract customers in the urban distribution market. Presented to the press during the Solutrans 2010 tradeshow, Maxity lectric is also undergoing development and will be tested by pilot customers throughout the course of 2010 under real operating conditions. This totally silent vehicle generates no CO 2 emissions. Finally, it is important to note that for several years, Renault Trucks has included vehicles running on natural gas (NGV) in its range. NGV has the advantage of generating no smoke or particles, and significantly reducing noise levels. Key events in proved that, despite the economic turmoil, Renault Trucks is continuing to make progress by further developing its products and services. This objective will be pursued in 2010, and there are already several important events planned to highlight this commitment. Optifuel Tour Following the success enjoyed by the 2009 Optifuel Tour in France, involving more than 600 customers, the operation will not only be repeated in France with seven new stages in 2010, but also exported to urope. 40 events are lined up to take place in Spain, Benelux, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic.

8 Construction Days Scheduled to take place between April and July 2010, these Construction Days will be organised in the Lyon region. Renault Trucks customers and future customers will be invited to presentations of our Construction range of products and services. They will also be invited to test drive the following vehicles on an "off-road" track under actual operating conditions: Kerax 8X4 Optidriver+, Premium Lander OptiTrack, Premium Lander 8X2/6, Kerax Cape to Cape and, as a "bonus", an opportunity to drive the Sherpa which took part in the Cape to Cape expedition. Tradeshows Renault Trucks will also be at the 117 th French Firefighters Convention in Angoulême from September, at the Pollutec fair in Lyon from 30 th November to 3 rd December and, of course, at the 63 rd IAA (Hanover International Commercial Vehicle Motor Show in Germany) from September. Further information is available from Marie-Lise Marchais Tel.: + 33 (0) marie-lise.marchais@renault-trucks.com Fabrice Piombo Tel: + 33 (0) fabrice.piombo@renault-trucks.com

SALES RESULTS 2010: RENAULT TRUCKS KEEPS ON TRACK, DESPITE A ROUGH ROAD.

SALES RESULTS 2010: RENAULT TRUCKS KEEPS ON TRACK, DESPITE A ROUGH ROAD. CORPORAT COMMUNICATIONS DPARTMNT P R S S RLAS Lyon / February 2011 SALS RSULTS 2010: RNAULT TRUCKS KPS ON TRACK, DSPIT A ROUGH ROAD. For Renault Trucks, 2010 has seen an overall increase in its sales and