Renault could also be off the radar of many Australian patrons, however its native boss insists the model gained’t slash costs to shift the established order.
Talks of budget-minded Renaults had been sparked on the native launch for the brand new Duster small SUV, which is now the model’s most cost-effective mannequin and begins at $31,990 earlier than on-roads. Regardless of cheaper phase competitors, Renault Australia basic supervisor Glen Sealey says the model isn’t within the “cut price basement space”.
“For those who have a look at how usually the market is unfold out at this time, that SUV phase that we talked about with Duster, and the way 30 per cent sits beneath $30,000 – that’s not us,” he advised media on the Duster launch.
“We’re not in that cut price basement space, however with Duster, we’re not in that very premium finish both, $40,000 to $45,000.
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“However we do have vehicles that sit there, which is Arkana, and we do have vehicles that sit above that, which is Megane E-Tech. So we’re by no means going to be in that backside 30 per cent, so to talk, however we might be within the fats, or the spike, of the phase, and we might be within the premium a part of the phase.
“And you will notice that with all our merchandise, whether or not it’s the small SUV phase, whether or not it’s the van phase, you will notice that displayed all over.”
Whereas unclear, that “backside 30 per cent” possible encompasses lots of Australia’s latest small SUVs – notably from newer Chinese language challenger manufacturers. The most cost effective of those is the Chery Tiggo 4, priced from $23,990 drive-away, adopted by the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS, each priced from $26,990 drive-away.
There’s additionally the bottom Mahindra XUV3XO at $23,990 drive-away, one other model trying to put its stamp on the small SUV phase. Nonetheless, arguably the most direct rival to Renault’s Duster is the Suzuki Jimny, which prices $30,490 earlier than on-roads in its base kind.
“We at all times function as a challenger model, as a result of our quantity is comparatively low in comparison with the market. So we at all times see ourselves as a challenger model,” Mr Sealey added.
“However the actuality of life is we’re in a position to command – so long as the product’s adequate – a premium place inside that phase.”
Mr Sealey’s assertion that Renault is a challenger model is actually backed up by comparatively low gross sales, with 2871 thus far this 12 months – 958 of which had been passenger autos. For context, the Tiggo 4, Jolion, and ZS have every outsold that determine by greater than 10 instances.
Renault’s present best-seller isn’t a passenger car; it’s the Grasp van with 1210 gross sales.
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