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Renault Trucks looks to double market share as it launches C, K ranges

Renault Trucks C Range

Renault Trucks C Range

Renault Trucks C Range

Renault Trucks K Range

Renault Trucks K Range

Renault Trucks K Range

Herman Venter

RTSA MD Christian Coolsaet

28th October 2014

By: Irma Venter

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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Renault Trucks Southern Africa (RTSA) has a 2% share of the local truck market, but would like to grow this to 5%, says Renault Trucks Commercial GM Herman Venter.

RTSA expects to sell around 300 trucks this year, with Venter hopeful of pushing this to 400 units in 2015.

“We want to grow consistently, and would be pleased with a market share of 5% to 6% in the next three years,” says Venter.

Driving increased sales will be the new C and K ranges. Assembly of the trucks is set to start at the Volvo Group’s Durban plant in February, with imports to fill demand until then.

RTSA forms part of the Volvo Group in Southern Africa, along with UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA).

The new C and K ranges will see RTSA active in the heavy and extra-heavy truck markets only, and not the medium-truck market.

The K range will typically find use in quarries and other mining applications, as well as in the heavy construction and off-road freight markets, while the C range is aimed at lighter construction and road-haul applications.

While the French truck brand does have a medium truck in its stable, RTSA is unlikely to bring it to South Africa, says Venter. The local company may, however, still expand the C and K ranges.

Venter believes the new introductions have an unique appeal as the driveline and cabs can be mixed and matched as the customer requires.

RTSA is to play in the high-end truck market, he adds, with UDTSA to target the lower end of the market, and Volvo the premium segment. This should prevent the brands cannabalising each other.

Renault Trucks has been part of the Volvo Group since 2008. Prior to that the brand has seen some turmoil as it moved around from one distributor to the other.

“Our biggest challenge is perception, yes,” acknowledges Venter.

However, he adds that Renault has found a stable home at the Volvo Group, with the necessary support to grow and expand the brand in Southern Africa.

RTSA has 17 dealers in South Africa, while there are also dealerships in Namibia, Botswana, Uganda, Mozambique and Mauritius.

“Seventeen is good, but not enough,” says Venter.

He expects the number to grow as the Volvo Group has recently opted for a franchise model, rather than owning all of its own dealerships.

Venter would like to see the network expand to 20 dealerships.

The current Renault truck parc in South Africa stands at about 3 000 vehicles.

Renault Trucks president Bruno Blin says the group’s “radical new products” are aimed at consolidating the brand’s position in Southern Europe, expanding in Eastern Europe, and growing in the Middle East and Africa.

He says the new range has been developed with the input of 50 Renault Trucks’ customers.

Renault Trucks design director Herve Bertrand adds that the new C and K ranges are heavily focused on increased robustness and fuel efficiency.

The new C and K ranges are fitted with Euro III level 11 l and 13 l engines, and boast various power outputs, from 330hp to 380, 440 and 460 hp.

Renault Trucks has also introduced a new assistance solution. This sees both ranges equipped with an assistance button on the dashboard, enabling the driver to instantly contact the Renault Trucks assistance service centre should the need arise. The centre will gather the necessary technical data and geo-locate the vehicle.

Also new is Optifuel Training, which is an instruction module aimed at training drivers to drive rationally, frugally, and to preserve the driveline.

RTSA also now offers its Optifleet telematics system to fleet owners. All Renault trucks from the long haul and construction ranges are prefitted with Optifleet as standard.

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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