Renault resilient amid a global market crisis

[B][U]Results by Region[/B][/U]

[B]Europe Region: Renault increases its share of the passenger car market by over 1 point[/B]

In a crisis-struck European market that fell 8.1%, the Renault Group grew its market share 0.2 points. Renault continued its strategy of reducing sales to short-team rental companies, a policy that, in the current economic climate, is proving particularly beneficial to residual values for used vehicles.

[B]Americas Region: Renault posts the largest market share growth among carmakers in Brazil[/B]

The Group increased sales 56.4% to a record 115,000 vehicles in Brazil. Group market share rose 1.2 points to 4.3% and Renault became one of the top six brands in Brazil. Nearly 40,000 Sandero units and more than 36,500 Logan units were sold in the country.

[B]Euromed Region: Renault pursues growth in Russia, selling over 100,000 units[/B]

Group sales increased 6.8% in Russia, topping the 100,000 sales mark for the second consecutive year. The Group continued to lead the Moroccan market, with 27.8% market share.

[B]Asia-Africa Region: Renault reports 12.2% growth[/B]

The Group grew its market share 3.5 points in Iran, with more than 54,000 Logans delivered.

[B][U]Results by model[/B][/U]

* [B]Ten new models were launched in 2008[/B]: Clio Sport Tourer, Grand Modus, New Megane Hatchback and Coupe, Laguna Coupe, Kangoo car and van, Kangoo Compact, Logan Pick-Up and Thalia/Symbol. By the end of 2009, the Renault Group will boast the youngest range in Europe with an average age of 2.2 years (compared with 3.8 years in 2005).

* The entry range confirmed its success, with 510,000 units sold under the Renault and [B]Dacia[/B] brands, for 38.7% growth.

* [B]Twingo[/B] is number one in France and in the top three in Europe in its category in terms of sales. [B]Clio[/B] maintained its third place in Europe in its segment.

* Thanks to the good performances (+28.4%) of [B]Modus[/B] and [B]Grand Modus[/B], which round out the success of Twingo and the continued strength of Clio, Renault sales in the A and B segments (Twingo, Modus, Clio) increased by 2.4% in Europe.

* [B]New Megane Hatchback[/B] and [B]Coupe[/B], launched at the Paris Motor Show, initiated the start of Renault's renewed C segment range.

* In France, [B]Laguna[/B] was the best-selling vehicle in the upper-medium segment with more than 33,000 registrations, up more than 10% on 2007.

* [B]Light commercial vehicles[/B]: Renault has been the undisputed leader in Europe for 11 years. With sales of 86,000 units, Kangoo reclaimed the number-one spot in the compact van category in 2008.

* Renault eco2 range: 60% of the vehicles sold by the Group in Europe emitted less than 140 g/km of CO2 (compared with 48% in 2007), of which one-third emitted less than 120 g/km.

[B][U]The situation in 2008[/B][/U]

The year was marked by the arrival of an unprecedented global financial and economic crisis. The crisis quickly hit the automotive markets, practically all of which fell considerably.

The world market grew in the first four months of the year. The European market was stable and the main emerging markets reported strong growth. The Spanish and Italian markets were the only ones to show the first signs of falling off. Group sales were up 7.3% at end of April, driven by performances in France and in the Group's three other Regions.

Between May and September, the downturn spread across Europe, notably to the UK. Growth in international markets slowed and Group sales on these markets did not compensate for the deterioration in Europe.

From October, the market decline intensified in Europe, and the main emerging markets in which the Renault group is present began to drop off as well (Russia, Brazil, Romania and Turkey).

"The intensity of the crisis affecting the automotive sector and the brutal fall in our main markets led us to review our growth objectives for 2008. Despite the crisis, the Renault Group has grown its market share," said Patrick Blain, Executive Vice President, Sales.

Credits: JRC