Captur Renault's next big thing

Renault Australia sold just over 2000 vehicles annually five years ago, but totalled sales of more than 10,000 units last year, passing the five-figure mark for the first time.

But the French brand expects another big growth in sales from this year, thanks to the revised Master van released last month, the new Captur small SUV on sale from this month and the new Trafic van due in the second quarter.

Speaking to local media at the Captur launch this week, Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said the all-new compact crossover is likely to surpass the Clio as the brand's best-selling model.

He said the Captur, full details of which will be announced tomorrow, will help grow the importer’s one per cent market share significantly, aided by a more comprehensive dealer network and improved after-sales support.

“This is a major milestone for the Renault brand,” said Hocevar.

"We’re aiming to continue our growth in 2015. We anticipate volume development of between 10 and 20 per cent over our record 2014 result, and to support the growth in our volume we have grown, and will continue to grow, our dealer network.”

Renault Australia has more than doubled its dealer network in the past four years, and says it will continue to expand, with a greater emphasis on regional areas.

“We finished 2014 with 46 active dealers in Australia — that’s up from just 19 back in 2011,” said Hocevar. “Over the past 18 months we’ve had a strong focus on expanding into regional centres [and] in 2015 we will continue to build upon our dealer network and will aim to finish the year with approximately 53 dealers… making it easier for Renault customers nation-wide to both buy a Renault and to service a Renault through our authorised network.”

Hocevar said the growth of Renault Australia would continue via the steady growth of its model range, beginning with the all-new Captur, and indicated that a review of the brand’s total cost of ownership and after-sales support programs were vital to earning the confidence of prospective customers.

“Part of the expansion of our dealer network — and the volume — is naturally supported by our new products. In bringing Captur to the market we have once again done considerable work to ensure the Captur is priced and specified incredibly well versus its competitors,” he said.

“A lot of the [overall sales] growth will come from Captur… we think it will quickly come to challenge the Clio for volume.

“In addition, we have also ensured that the Captur will stack-up well from a total cost of ownership and peace of mind point of view. At Renault we’re very conscious that previously we had a reputation for being expensive to own. But this simply isn’t the case any more.

“The Captur offers capped-price servicing, 12-month service intervals, a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assistance.”

Renault’s impressive 2014 tally comprised Koleos (1709 sales), Clio (2611), Fluence (139), Megane (2066) and Latitude (96) in the passenger car arena, with the balance of sales coming from the light commercial side of the business — including Kangoo (664), Trafic (1643) and Master (1086).

Visit motoring.com.au tomorrow afternoon to read our full review of the all-new Captur.