Renault Group celebrated a double success at the Business Car Awards 2024, being named as Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year, and seeing the new Renault 5 E-Tech electric chosen as winner of the One to Watch award. The Most Improved Manufacturer award was merited, according to Business Car’s expert judging panel, because of Renault Group’s programme of investment that, together with its breadth of innovative and emotive Renault, Dacia and Alpine models, has led the company to recent sales success in the fleet sector. The company’s strategy is to cover the key sectors with class-leading cars from its brands, focusing on great value and efficiency. Fully electric products include Britain’s most affordable EV, the Dacia Spring, and the Renault Megane E-Tech electric and Renault Scenic E-Tech electric – with the latter having been named as European Car of the Year for its up to 379-mile range*, spec, quality, practicality, and economy.
Deliveries of the 5 E-Tech start this spring, and other EVs on the way include the Renault 4, and sporty models from Alpine in the shape of the A290 hot hatch and GT X-Over.
Meanwhile, Renault offers a full range of models with E-Tech hybrid technology, including the Renault Clio full hybrid E-Tech supermini and the Renault Captur full hybrid E-Tech, Renault Symbioz full hybrid E-Tech, and Renault Rafale E-Tech SUVs, while Dacia delivers models that cover the essentials with hybrid, pure petrol and electric options.
As well as offering cars to support all its customers’ powertrain needs, Renault Group has also put personnel in place to support its fleet ambitions. It recently added a public sector manager, fleet operations manager, fleet aftersales manager, three virtual account managers and a team manager to support corporate and SME customers, as well as making changes to its leasing and head of fleet roles.
Also with an eye on fleet business, the company introduced an improved e-comms process, improvements to its fleet website and tools available to customers, and an enhanced demo fleet provision with extended availability. It began working more closely with leasing and salary sacrifice providers to provide compelling offers, and also added specialist fleet dealers to ensure B2B customers enjoy a tailored service. The company also understands the role played by robust residual values in ensuring fleet success, and to this end has enhanced a process of holding individual RV events for each vehicle, and range days for its RV and leasing partners.
On awarding the Most Improved Manufacturer title, Business Car editor Martyn Collins said: “The arrival of a new head of fleet, Justin Costello, and the significant investment in people, programmes and processes, has signalled Renault Group’s ambitions in the sector this year – but it is the sales results that truly underpin its status as a rapidly improving fleet operator.”
Commenting on the Most Improved Manufacturer award, Renault Group head of fleet Justin Costello said: “Renault Group has come a long way in the last few years, as this award demonstrates; our brands now offer a true end-to-end solution for business users. From the new Dacia Spring – the UK’s most affordable new electric car – to the Renault Master with market-leading range and efficiency, to the exhilarating Alpine A290, the legendary brand’s first electric sports car.
“Models such as the Renault Clio E-Tech and Renault Scenic E-Tech electric continue to find favour with fleet customers and are now joined by new offerings in the guise of the new Dacia Duster, Renault Symbioz E-Tech and the plug-in hybrid Renault Rafale E-Tech.
“As a result, our brands’ breadth of appeal is now the greatest it’s ever been, and our team are working hard to deliver a great fleet experience and lay the foundations to build for an even more successful future.”
As winner of the One to Watch award, the Renault 5 E-Tech impressed the Business Car Awards judges with its iconic design – bringing the classic Renault 5 shape right up to date – and cutting-edge powertrain. As a result, the model was said to offer a compelling blend of driver engagement, practicality, and a sense of fun, wrapped up in a package that will bring an extra sparkle to the world of small electric vehicles.
Based on the next-generation AmpR small platform, the model is agile and exciting to drive, thanks to its optimised chassis and weight of only 1,449 kg. Despite city-friendly proportions, the model offers comfortable seating for five, as well as a practical 326-litre boot.
Innovative features include a bonnet-mounted charging indicator, and Reno, the helpful avatar.
The model is opening to order in the UK from January, priced from only £22,995 OTR, with a choice of three trim levels – evolution, techno, and iconic five. Two powertrain options are available – a 120hp motor powered by a 40kWh battery for a 190-mile range, and a 150hp motor with a 52kWh battery and up to 250-mile range*.
Business Car editor Collins said: “In simple terms, the Renault 5 is a B-segment replacement for the Zoe. However, it’s much more than that – it’s the latest in a series of iconic Renault models reworked for the future.”
Costello said: “Even before going on sale, the Renault 5 E-Tech electric is rapidly accumulating an enviable array of awards.
“This latest title shows that the appeal is universal, across both retail and fleet customers, and the judges have recognised that many of the qualities that make the Renault 5 E-Tech electric such a hotly anticipated new model are helping it find favour in a wider marketplace.”
*References available on request.
