Renault and Dacia were the two fastest growing brands in Ireland last year, accordong to the Renault Group.
It says its share was up 1.4 per cent on the previous year, while new entrant Dacia took a 2.8 per cent slice of the action last year.
Already in 2015 the Renault Group’s sales are up on last year with 8.1 per cent of the market, and 300 Dacia cars were sold in the first 10 days of 2015, capturing 2.5 per cent of the market.
The success in 2014 for the group was in part due to the popularity of the stylish Renault Clio, and the popular Dacia Duster, both in the top 20 selling cars last year.
The Dacia brand, which continues to grab Irish motorists with its affordable range of cars, has proved customers can own a new car for much less than a second-hand car, or get more bang for their buck than other established brands.
According to Renault, the availability of finance through its bank RCI was also a key factor in the success of the two brands with more than half of registrations secured through Renault and Dacia Finance, as was Renault's five-year warranty, which is available across the entire range of Renault vehicles.
In three years Renault and Dacia Dealerships have generated more than €200 million in finance to some 12,000 Irish motorists through the RCI. The bank lent €85 million in 2014 and has 26 branches nationwide, through the network of Renault and Dacia dealerships.
Europe’s multi award-winning LCV range also performed well in 2014, finishing on the podium for the fourth year in a row, taking 9.7 per cent of the LCV market. Since the start of the New Year Renault’s range of LCV has also performed well with 8.4 per cent captured in the first 10 days.
The popular Master was the best-selling model for Renault, followed by Kangoo and new Trafic. The award-winning LCV range, combined with an attractive five-year warranty, makes Renault LCV an affordable proposition for businesses of all sizes.
The Renault Group’s country operations manager, Patrick Magee, said 2014 turned out to be a great year for the Irish motor industry and for both its brands.
“Dacia continues to be the fastest growing car brand in Ireland and has exceeded our market predictions coming in at a market-blowing 2.8 per cent at the end of its second year in the country.
“Ten days into 2015, it looks to be a promising start to the new registration year with our sales going extremely well. 2015 will also see an exciting new vehicle launch for Renault which will be unveiling later this summer.”
For further details contact Bradley Renault, Tuam Road Galway.
