WHAT’S UP WITH RENAULT?

I feel that comment is necessary regarding your article about Renault RSA in the February 2024 issue, ‘What’s up Renault?’

Having owned various Renault/dacia products, the aspect of ‘customer service’ mentioned by Mr Tshifularo does not appear to be evident at all in South Africa if you check sites such as hellopeter.com.

Consumer complaints about both product and dealer service are just too numerous to be an exception. The India-sourced Kiger comes in for particular reliability questions and the consumer contact number and/or processing of complaints by dealers and the service that they offer is questionable. In fact, most comments give a zero rating and a ‘don’t touch Renault’ recommendation.

They also have a questionable product sourcing arrangement for South Africa. When checking Duster models at local dealers, I found several 2022 model year vehicles, whereas the EU have updated 2023 model year versions. It would appear some products selling here at the moment have actually been manufactured in 2022. One example checked had actually been in Morocco for five months before shipping. The tyres fitted as original equipment have also gone from Eu-manufactured Bridgestone to an unknown brand sourced in China.

In the UK, we often have reviews of brands in magazines such as Auto Express that touch on reliability and customer service and that is possibly what is needed in South Africa; and an even more critical approach, where due, is required.

For the moment, the Renault consumer is apparently suffering to an unacceptable degree. Mr Tshifularo should put his money where his mouth is to the benefit of those who have questionably put faith in Renault.

I would contact him directly but Renault seems to have removed any email facility for contacting them!

Happy motoring, PATRICK WANTLING

[This is exactly why we have a long-term test fleet as well, Patrick. Unfortunately, even those are limited to a few months with select models chosen by the manufacturer – editor.]