Renault-Nissan increases its market share

Renault and Nissan are listed separately in the present sales stakes where the two rank 6th and 11th respectively (2008 stats). The two when put together move up to 4th position according to the 2008 stakes. Thanks to aggressive cost cutting and working on tight budgets, the alliance captured 9.8% of the global automobile market in 2008, up from 9.4% during 2008. Though this is not a significant increase, it becomes very laudable when you consider the fact that the global automobile market shrunk by 4.5%.

The alliance already has the Dacia and Samsung brands and has recently taken a majority stake in Russia’s AvtoVaz. Renault and Nissan experienced reduced sales by 3.1% and 9.4% resulting in total sales of 2,309,188 and 3,358,413 respectively. Lada contributed 417,457 units to that figure of Renault. However, Renault maintained its third position in Europe due to the launch of its Megane and Twingo mini car. In Renault’s home market France, the firm maintained the numero uno position after witnessing sales increase of 7.3% and upping market share to 23.5%. Renault also increased its presence in the Korean market with its Samsung brand.

Nissan finished the year with total sales of 3,358,413 units with a market share of 5.4%. Nissan’s biggest growth came from China which is Nissan’s 2nd largest market after USA. Sales in China stood at 755,518 units and sales of its flagship Teana topped with 108,504 followed by Sylphy at 96,174. The new Teana and X-trail were launched in India this year and have met with poor response due to their expensive price tag. Nissan does not release any sales figures in its website and this tells the public that there is nothing much to show.

VW could be considered to be the benchmark – Coming from nowhere, the brand marketed aggressively and if you ask anybody now, there is a realistic chance of a minimum of 50% of the Indian population would know. Ask the same people about Nissan and the results are dismal. Nissan also need to bump up their dealers to a minimum of 50 during the launch of its Micra with atleast 2 in every state. Considering that the Micra is really good, the people who like it will be turned away because of the lack of dealerships and proper service centres. We feel Nissan has not given the same amount of commitment to India like VW.

Moreover, Nissan’s cars need a wider reach which is only possible with a reduced price tag.Nissan might argue saying that the sales figures are too small to justify local assembly but we need not tell Nissan that volumes will automatically increase for their good cars provided they sell at a lower price. There is no point complaining of poor sales figures when the cars are priced that high. The Teana is an excellent car and is certain to blow away the Camrys and Accords with its style and substance.

Nissan’s market share will also increase once its all new Micra starts selling in India. For now, not much is known about the car except that it will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show. So lets wait till March. Stay tuned to Wheelosphere and you will get your dose of news.

We have to eventually wait for their plans to be revealed. Nissan neither showed up at the Auto Expo where it could have got widespread reach. When VW can import their entire set-ups for the Auto Show from Germany (including the toilets and engineers) to give Indian’s a world class feel, Nissan could easily have done the same too. Anyways, having seen their Z and the Teana which are awesome cars (Do I even need to mention the awesome GT-R?), we are hoping from improved attempt from Nissan.

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