Renault: 2010 First Quarter Results

PARIS – April 28, 2010

Commercial results highlights
In Europe, Group sales (passenger car and LCV) grew by 37.7% (including a 32.7% rise in France) in a market that rose by 9.7%. Market share increased by 2.2pts (1.6pts for the Renault brand and 0.6pts for Dacia) to a total of 10.8%. The Renault brand is once again No. 3 in Europe in the passenger car segment and No. 1 in the LCV segment, while Dacia was the best-selling imported brand in France in March, thanks to Sandero.

The Group made inroads in its three largest European markets, with market penetration (passenger car and LCV) rising 3.8pts in France to 29.1%, 3.1pts in Italy to 7.5%, and 0.6pts in Germany to 5.3%. These results are in large part attributable to the successful renewal of the Mégane family, which saw volumes increase by 58.5% vs. first-quarter 2009 with the ramp-up of the hatch and Scenic/Estate models. Scenic, in particular, has regained its No. 1 position in Europe in the C MPV segment.

Outside Europe, sales were up 20.9%.
The Asia/Africa Region reported very strong growth in sales volumes of 40.8%. In South Korea, the Group’s third-largest market, volumes surged 75.9% to 41,515 units. Over 40,000 orders have already been taken since the launch of SM5 at the beginning of the year, and SM3 accounts for 29% of sales in its segment.

The Americas Region turned in a very good performance as well, with a 27.4% hike in volumes and 5.03% market share, boosted by the popular Sandero Stepway and Clio.

In the Eurasia Region, Group volumes rose 6.5%. In Russia, where the market contracted by 25%, Renault’s market share rose 1.7pts to 5.5% on the back of a 7% increase in sales versus first-quarter 2009. Logan sales increased by 30%, and the vehicle is the top-selling foreign car in Russia. This strong momentum should be supported by the introduction of a scrappage scheme in March 2010 and by the success of the newly launched Sandero.

In the Euromed Region, volumes remained stable in a market that fell by 11.7%, giving the Group a 23.1% share of the market (+2.6pts on first-quarter 2009). In a dynamic Turkish market (+6.8% growth), Group sales climbed 9.8% and the market share increased 0.4pt to 13.3%.

Overall, the Group gained market share in 13 of its top 15 global markets that together account for 86% of total sales.