Laguna will be imported to China next year as Renault-Donfeng talks failed

Shanghai. September 19 (Gasgcoo.com) - Renault's latest generation Laguna will go on sale in China in completely-built imported unit next year, an official from Renault's Beijing office said.

Renault (Beijing) marketing director Lin Yaping said the unsuccessful talks between Renault and Dongfeng has led to his company’s decision to import Laguna to Chinese market.

Renault and Dongfeng Motor has reached an initial agreement to build a passenger car joint venture in 2004, but later on the two sides have postponed the project due to a difference in choosing manufacturing site. Moreover, Renault has seen a slide-down in its global market share with few new model launched over the past several years.

During the Frankfort Motor Show Renault's president Carlos Ghosn said the difficult situation for Renault has ended, and Renault plans to release more new vehicles in the next 18 months to halt a declining trend in market share.

Global sales of Renault have seen an average increase of 11.4 percent in the past two months, a significant growth considering its declining sales over six consecutive months in the first half year. New models, like Kangoo and Clio have contributed to this success.

Renault's third generation Laguna will start volume production in the second half year and go on sale in Europe by the coming October.

Earlier this month, Huang Lixin, Renault’s chief sales officer in East China, said Renault's third generation Laguna will come to China in three versions, including coupe, sedan and touring, and will compete with luxury cars like Audi A4, BMW 3-Series in the Chinese market.

Laguna coupe concept