Only just over 10% of Renault’s sales are electric vehicles. A low result for a pioneer in this type of technology.
The Renault group has released its sales report for the first half of 2024. From January to June, it sold 1,154,700 vehicles (Passenger and Commercial), a slight increase of 1.9%. The report is driven by commercial vehicles and the European region, where the group grew by 6.7%.
However, the manufacturer emphasizes that it is no longer focusing on volume but on profitable sales. And in this regard, the strategy implemented by Luca de Meo is working. In its five main European markets, the group makes 62% of sales to individuals (which is the most profitable), more than 20 points above the market average. Renault has also refocused on larger vehicles, such as the Austral and Espace.
These vehicles have also contributed to the success of hybrids at Renault. For the entire group, hybrid sales increased by 59% compared to the first half of 2023! In Europe, the Losange is the second largest seller of hybrids (one out of three), behind the well-established Toyota.
However, in terms of 100% electric vehicles, the results are less promising. Renault states that these vehicles represent “almost 12%” of its brand’s sales. The manufacturer is below the European market average, with 12.5% of electric vehicles in the quarter. At Stellantis, there was a highlight of the electric share being at 13.3%.
The R5 Is Taking Longer to Arrive
Renault’s report may seem disappointing given the firm’s status as a pioneer, which invested in electric vehicles well before its main competitors with models like the Zoe, and considering its goal of achieving 100% electric sales by 2030!
The Losange can make its case considering the particular circumstances of 2024, a transition year. The Zoe was discontinued in March 2024, ending its career on a very difficult note. Its successor, the R5, began taking orders in May, but deliveries will not start until the end of the year. The Scénic E-Tech arrived in stores in the spring. However, it is notable that Renault has not disclosed any order figures, which it sometimes does in its sales-related press releases.
It will therefore be necessary to wait until 2025 for a real take-off in electric vehicle sales at Renault, with the increasing popularity of the R5 and Scénic, as well as the launch of the new 4L, an SUV version of the R5.
It is worth noting that the Megane and Twingo have shown improvement in 2024, thanks in part to social leasing in France. The Twingo has also regained interest following the loss of the bonus for the Dacia Spring, whose sales plummeted in 2024, partly due to the anticipation of the launch of the restyled version in September.