Is Renault in Trouble? Domestic Sales plummet

Unlike many European car manufactures, the French companies depend heavily on domestic sales. None more than Renault.

Renault recently released their performance in France:

Renault Passenger Cars down 25% compared to with 2011.

Light Commercial Vehicles (vans) down 10% compared to 2011.





In part, the poor performance in passenger cars is due to Renault's aging fleet. Only the Clio is new this year. Renault made a $5 billion gamble on electric cars. The large investment in EVs left them with little cash to invest elsewhere.

But the EVs haven't sold well. They've sold about 9000 Twizy toy cars and 5000 Kangoo Z.E. vans. The Fluence sedan has sold in tiny numbers. The Zoe Z.E. which should sell better, is plagued by delays.



How many automobile manufactures can survive a 25% drop in sales? 2011 wasn't a very good year either.




http://www.media.renault.com/global/...?mediaid=41896