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2024 has been a relatively quiet year for one of SA’s most trusted car brand, Renault. But the French marque have been busy in the background, planning several launches in 2025, with the first one slated for March 2025. SA lost out on the planned Oroch bakkie due to the rand/ dollar/ euro exchange rate not being favourable but since then, things have improved somewhat to allow for models to be brought into the country.
Pic: Naresh Maharaj
Plans for 2025 and beyond were revealed at a media business engagement recently for what promises to be a busy year for Renault according to SA Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Zian van Heerden, who confirmed that they want be a key player in the sub-R500 000 segments where a reported 75% of local consumer’s shop for a vehicle. But not only that, Renault wants to get back into the top 5 position in the new car sales category (they are currently in 6th) in terms of actual sales numbers.
“As Renault, we are an importer – we don’t export, we purely import and for us, the biggest issue until before the [local government] elections was the exchange rate,” van Heerden said.
“Everything we buy is in Euros and before the elections, [the exchange rate] was standing at just under R20. Since then, it has come down to about R19, which is favourable for us.
“At R18.50 to the Euro, we can import all the nice stuff, but above that, it becomes difficult. And that was one of the main reasons why last year, we had to make the tough call, “are we bringing Oroch, yes or no?”
Volatile Market
Expressing positivity about recent projections for the local automotive sector, though, van Heerden said that while the Rand is prone to seesawing, “there is no immediate threat to it, and our country is showing signs of ‘green shoots’, implying that we may be on an upwards trajectory economically. We have seen very good forecasts by certain economists of R18.05 to the Euro by December next year, which will be really good for vehicle imports in South Africa and that in itself is a positive sign for all South Africans”.
Tried and Tested
Zian van Heerden said the brand’s current line-up of four products – Kwid, Triber, Kiger, and Captur – will be jacked up significantly from March next year as it aims to reclaim its standing within the top five vehicle brands.
“If you look at the top five best-selling brands, the average number of different offerings to hit the sweet spot [when it comes to volume] is nine. Below that, you will struggle.
“We will look above that R500 000 mark and while we are doing consistently well with Kwid, Triber and Kiger, we [believe there is an opportunity] to participle [in this section of the market”.
So what can we expect from March 2025 onwards?
March 2025 will see the much awaited and improved Duster, one of SA’s much loved SUV. The Duster sales in SA speaks for themselves and will form part of the French marque’s transition towards NEV (New Energy Vehicle), slated with a 48-volt powertrain. The 1.5l turbo-diesel has been discontinued. The covers came off at the event and the all new Duster is appealing to the eye. It has a more squarish front and back and is slightly bigger than its predecessor. Inside, the cabin space both front and back is very generous but it does not stop there. Open the boot lid, and there is plenty of space to load up and get away to the beach, mountains or to your local golf club in style. Let’s hope that the pricing will be below the R500 000 mark. Anything over that benchmark might struggle when compared to a host of Chinese offerings in the sub R500k segment.
Other USP’s of the Duster:
Q2 will see a face-lifted Clio, another SA favourite that will be available in a 1.0 litre turbo-charged petrol engine mated to a 5 speed gearbox. Exact specs will be made available at launch.
Come Q4 and the Arkana Coupe will grace our shores but it will be offered only as a hybrid. I had the pleasure of testing the Arkana Hybrid last year at the Zwartkops Raceway. The Captur is also slated for Q4, along with the updated Triber and Kiger
Pic: Naresh Maharaj
Beyond 2025, the Kadjar replacement will be the Symbioz but more on that will be revealed early 2026.
So indeed a busy time around the corner for one of SA’s most trusted and loveable brands. Watch this space to be in the know about what will be unfolding at Renault.
