Renault China lifts '09 sales target to 6,000 units

Shanghai, July 6 (Gasgoo.com) France's number two automaker Renault SA sold about 3,000 vehicles in China during the first five months this year, up 300% from its full year China sales in 2008, and Renault China has scaled up its sales target of 2009 to 6,000 units, said sina.com today.

"As a matter of fact, China has become not only Renault's fastest-growing market in the world, but also our most profitable market by unit sales. China is now the most important overseas market for Renault," said Mr. Chen Guozhang (Robert Chan), president of Renault's Greater China division. At the end of last year, amid the market slump, Renault planned to sell 2,000 vehicles in China in 2009.

Sales of the Koleos SUV, which was launched in China in mid-April through imports, are expected to top 5,000 units by the end of this year. There are four Koleos SUV models imported to the Chinese market, with selling prices starting from 242,000 yuan ($35,500). The Renault Koleos is manufactured by Renault Samsung Motors at its plant in Busan, South Korea.

This year Renault has restarted its auto import strategy in China, where the Laguna sedan was launched in late February. Renault plans to import five all-new models to China in the second half of this year, and meanwhile to ensure the new vehicle supplies for the Chinese market as a top priority.

In the Chinese market, Renault will be positioned as a leisure luxury brand, and will bring in 14 models including sub-1.6L cars in the next three years.

When asked about Renault's Chinese production, Robert Chan said surely Renault vehicles will be locally produced in China sooner or later to cut the cost and meet the growing demand.