Renault thinks global about local strategy

Renault has high hopes that the Chinese market will play a crucial role in its global strategy, said Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of Nissan and Renault Alliance.

Ghosn is the board chairman of both Japan-based Nissan and Paris-based Renault. The two companies forged a strategic partnership in 1999 through cross-shareholding.

Katsumi Nakamura, the newly appointed executive vice-president of Renault China, also made his first public appearance in the country at the auto show.

Nakamura was the first president of Dongfeng Nissan from 2003 to 2008.

His understanding of the Chinese auto market helped Nissan tap into its potential.

Industry analysts commented earlier that the appointment of Nakamura might be a sign of Renault's plans to localize production in the future.

In the past three years, Renault's sales performance has continued to surge in China. In 2011, it sold nearly 25,000 cars, four times its total sales for 2009, and it saw 65 percent annual growth over the previous year.

About 25 percent of the Nissan-Renault Alliance's sales are generated in China. But most of the sales are from Nissan, which has a joint venture with Dongfeng Motors.

During the auto show, Renault made the world premiere of its high-end flagship model - the Talisman, which will be priced between 318,800 yuan and 484,800 yuan.

"The Talisman is the most premium car model of Renault's lineup," said Ghosn. "Choosing Beijing Auto Show as its global debut venue shows Renault's emphasis on and confidence in this market."

"China has become one of Renault's most important markets. The brand will bring more new models with European-style designs and Renault's advanced technologies to Chinese customers in the future," he added.

In 2012, Renault plans to expand the current models on offer in China and further tap the markets of small and mid-sized cities.

The number of dealerships will be increased to 115, said Chen Guozhang, CEO of Renault China.

"With great support from the Renault headquarters, the brand is trying to develop marketing strategies tailored to the Chinese market. Renault has begun a new, fast development stage in China," Chen said.

xuxiao@chinadaily.com