WHAT’S UP, RENAULT?
In an ongoing series of interviews aimed at offering local automotive brands an opportunity to touch base with South Africa, we opened the floor to the CEO of Renault South Africa, Shumani Tshifularo
As a proudly French marque celebrating 125 years of automobile manufacture, the South African office of Renault finds itself in a unique situation.
Current CEO Shumani Tshifularo confirmed that while the past few years have realised numerous frustrations with unavoidable delays to launching new products – such as the Clio, Captur and threequarter-tonner double-cab Oroch bakkie – the most-ever Renaults were sold in SA in 2022. The primary reason has been the value proposition driven by its Indian-sourced products, led by the Kiger compact SUV.
“While other brands have noted the popularity of the Kiger and since introduced compelling rival models, with a comprehensive update of this product scheduled for the middle of 2024, we remain confident the Kiger will continue to sell well for us,” smiled Tshifularo.
This smile lingered longer when I mentioned the highly anticipated Duster-based Oroch bakkie that has been tipped for local introduction for some time. He responded: “This product has been fully homologated and is ready to launch, but we would be doing this characterful pick-up solution an injustice by introducing it at the proposed pricing that is currently being dictated by exchange rates and import taxes. Sourced from Latin America – so subject to a 25% duty – together with the fact that Oroch is classed as an SUV rather than a workhorse that would allow the customer to at least claim VAT back, it is rather a case of waiting for the market conditions to alter before we can achieve the kind of pricing that would prove enticing.”
At this stage, there are no plans to introduce the Nissan Navara-cloned Renault Alaskan double-cab to South Africa.
SO, WHAT’S COMING?
Renault South Africa is set for a busy 2024. The significantly updated Clio will soon arrive – with an automatic transmission option – in the middle of the year. An update of our current Top 12 Best Buys winner, the Captur, will follow shortly after its hatchback sibling.
The big news is the arrival of an all-new Duster (see page 22). It is a product that continues to prove popular for its ruggedness as well as its wallet-friendliness, and the third generation of this rebadged Dacia SUV is pencilled in for a November launch, says Tshifularo with fingers crossed. It seems as if a big brother to the new Duster, known as the Bigster, will join the local fray by 2026.
Renault SA’S strategy for new energy vehicles will focus on hybrid technology; products like the Captur and Arkana will showcase this drivetrain solution. “While Renault remains a proud contributor to the global advancement of electric mobility, for our market – as is the consideration for many brands – we need to make a case for battery-electric technology based on potential volume, something that simply isn’t present now.”
‘NEVER BUY A FRENCH CAR’
Acknowledging that South African consumers have long memories when it comes to the reputation of French cars sold here over the years, Tshifularo is quick to point out the level of continued investment, in people and logistics, that has taken place from Renault’s side for several years now. “A vehicle has wheels, and these wheels need to keep rolling. It hurts customers when their wheels aren’t available,” he says. “We currently have a warehouse brimming with R100 million worth of replacement parts for our cars and should an owner not be able to get their vehicle back timeously, our dedicated team of customer-relations officers is mandated to make alternative arrangements, including a loan car, to ensure the next conversation around the braai will not be about a disappointing experience with a French car.”
It seems as if a big brother to the new Duster, known as the Bigster, will join the local fray by 2026