Renault adds value to LCV range

Building off a strong sales year in which Renault can celebrate 18 consecutive years at the top of the European light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales tree, Renault is rolling out model year updates across its Australian LCV range.

Kangoo, Trafic and Master all benefit from the updates, with Kangoo adding key safety tech including side head and chest airbags as standard across the range.

A standard phone-docking module has also been added from January production.

Meanwhile Trafic gains enhanced option packages, as well as the availability of a ‘Premium Pack which is to be offered on the entry-specification single turbo variant.

The twin-turbo diesel variant loses the Pro Pack in favour of a new $2990 Lifestyle Pack, which comprises a wider-view mirror, deadlocking capability, media nav, auto climate, hands-free entry and engine start/stop, heavy-duty battery, LED ceiling lights, premium dashboard trim and heated seats.

Outside, there are body-colour bumpers, mirror backs, rear light pillar and sliding-door rail, 17-inch alloys and a chrome grille with gloss back Renault logo.

Kangoo long-wheelbase diesel models adopt rear parking sensors as well as side head and chest airbags as standard.

A Kangoo Lifestyle Pack is also available on the five-seat Maxi Crew variant, priced at $1490. It adds R-Link multimedia functionality, leather trim steering wheel, rear seat vents, extra-dark window tint and body colour front and rear bumpers with gloss black door mirrors.

Opting for the petrol short wheelbase Kangoo variants brings a tailgate in favour of barn doors, though these remain optionally available.

A Pro Pack can be applied to either short- or long-wheelbase Kangoos. For $790 it brings overhead storage, glazed barn and dual side sliding doors, as well as side head and chest airbags on the SWB. LWB versions gain additional R-Link multimedia and front fog lights for $1190.

All Master variants (excepting Motor Home, as it has swivelling front seats) gain the side head and chest airbag for the driver as standard equipment from the second quarter. A reversing camera is standard-fit on all Master vans.

Renault LCV pricing commences at $21,990 (plus on-roads) for Kangoo petrol manual SWB; $34,990 plus on-roads for the L1H1 single turbo-diesel Trafic and $43,990 for the Master van in SWB low-roof twin-turbo form.

“We are confident these product improvements will provide Australian van customers with even more reasons to purchase one of our vans during 2016, in addition to our extremely comprehensive reassurance programmes,” said Renault Australia Managing Director Justin Hocevar.

“These include up to 30,000km service intervals, Capped Price Services and a long 200,000km warranty,” he continued.

Selling into 112 countries, total Renault LCV sales reached 387,000 in 2015, achieving the increase in a global LCV market that dropped 6.3 per cent, if you exclude North America. As a result, the French brand’s global LCV market share has reached 3.8 per cent; up 0.6 per cent on 2014, with 92,400 Renault LCVs sold outside of Europe.

The brand’s growth was buoyed by Australian success, which contributed to 15-year-high volumes in the Asia-Pacific region.

Kangoo’s 1177 sales was up 77 per cent on the year to finish second in the vans under 2.5t category, while the Master van grew 95 per cent to sell 1510 units -- good enough for third in the 3501-8000km commercial category.

Closer to its base, Renault was the best-selling LCV brand for the 18th consecutive year in the Euro market. With sales growth of 16.9 per cent in a market that grew 11.4 per cent, Renault says it sold 29,000 additional vehicles to arrive at a 15 per cent Euro market share.

Vehicles such as the Navara-based Alaskan ute and an expanded LCV network offering should provide Renault with a further base for growth in the commercial segments.