Blog of RENAULT NISSAN Alliance

Booming new car sales in Russia have seen the world’s manufacturers scrabbling for a slice of the action. But as these newcomers arrive, they are discovering that Renault has something of a head start… the French firm has been building and selling cars in Russia for nearly 100 years: it opened its first factory in the country in 1916.

Back in those pre-revolution days the Renault XB or Tsarine was popular with the Emperor and Renault vehicles were often used as the official cars of the Tsar’s court.

These days the Tsar might have gone, but Renault still rules! In fact, Russia is one of Renault’s biggest markets. Together Renault and partner AVTOVAZ Lada sold a remarkable 733,121 units in 2011 to claim more than 27 per cent of the market.

On its own, Renault is one of the top three brands in the country and in the first eight months of this year sold nearly 125,000 cars.

Recognising the importance of the market, Renault was one of the first companies in modern times to build a manufacturing plant in the country. Today it builds 4 different vehicles from scratch – Logan, Sandero, Fluence, and Duster – at its Moscow plant, with a high level of localization (currently 62 per cent for Logan and Sandero).

Last year the plant reached its capacity of 160,000 units and for 2012, capacity is being increased to 188,000 to meet growing demand. The affordable 4x4 Duster, on sale since the end of 2011, became the segment leader in July.

This positive future was reflected in Renault’s stand at the recent Moscow Motor Show where the Duster Crossover, complete with new multimedia navigation system, took center stage alongside a real hint of tomorrow’s Renaults – the stunning Captur concept reflected the company’s new design direction and is a prototype of a future Renault 4x4.

Renault Captur

Renault’s electric cars also looked ahead to a cleaner future with both Twizy and Zoe on display. At the show, Renault announced its intention to provide the Postal Service of Russia with Renault Kangoo Z.E. delivery vehicles for use in Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi over the next 3 years.

But that long and glorious past wasn’t forgotten either. As well as many examples of Renault’s sporting achievements over the years – display cars included a Megane Sport, a Renault Alpine and a Renault-powered Red Bull F1 car – with pride of place given to an XB Tsarine, as used by the court of Nicholas II.

• See the press release