BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FRANCE – January 24, 2025 – Renault Group is driving the future of automotive distribution. On Thursday, January 23rd, the company hosted an exclusive session with the Karidea Think Tank, welcoming 37 European multi-brand distribution groups to its Guyancourt Technocentre. This unprecedented event marked the first time a manufacturer has opened its doors to such a gathering, signaling a new era of collaboration and innovation in the automotive industry.
A "Win-Win" Approach to Industry Challenges
The session provided a platform for in-depth discussions with Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo and members of the Leadership Team, focusing on the critical challenges facing the automotive industry and the evolving role of distribution networks. By fostering this dialogue, Renault Group reinforced its commitment to a "win-win" approach, recognizing the vital importance of its network in navigating the complexities of the market and integrating new value chains.
"The automotive industry is facing an unprecedented transformation," said Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group. "Faced with these challenges, we consider our network and our partners more than ever as a strategic asset for the Group and for the success of our brands. There is no substitute for being physically present with our customers, in the field. At the beginning of 2024 we reaffirmed our strong partnership with the network, true to our win-win approach and while the Renaulution strategy has demonstrated its full potential for our dealers. This event with Karidea was an opportunity to reaffirm our desire to fully engage with our partners to seize the opportunities opened up by the changes in the automotive value chain."
Product Innovation Takes Center Stage
Renault Group showcased its commitment to product innovation by presenting new vehicles from its four brands: Renault, Dacia, Alpine, and Mobilize. The emphasis was on low-carbon and efficient mobility solutions, highlighting the Group's dedication to meeting the evolving needs of consumers and addressing environmental concerns.
Jean Triomphe, founder of the Karidea Think Tank, praised the event, stating: "A big thank you to Luca de Meo for opening the doors of his design center and especially for this great first consisting of exchanging with the 37 European groups brought together by Karidea around the major challenges of distribution. It was an exchange of unique density and richness, as shown by the unanimously enthusiastic reactions of the participating Groups at the end of the meeting. Understanding the areas of transformation in distribution, moving from major trends to very concrete subjects, identifying the challenges but also the opportunities for distributors in the medium term, the exercise proved to be totally exciting."
The "Renaulution" Strategy: Driving Growth and Profitability
The "Renaulution" strategy has played a pivotal role in driving the growth and profitability of Renault Group's distribution network. By focusing on product development, brand complementarity, and a value-based commercial policy, the Group has achieved remarkable success, launching 22 new cars in the past three years – more than ever before in its 125-year history. This modern range is strategically positioned at the heart of the European market, with a strong emphasis on the C segment and above.
Embracing New Value Chains
Renault Group is actively integrating its network into new value chains, leveraging technological advancements and strategic partnerships to enhance customer satisfaction and drive business growth.
Technological Innovation and Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the automotive industry, and Renault Group is at the forefront of this revolution. With over 20 use cases, AI is being implemented across the Group to enhance speed, agility, and efficiency. AI is also being deployed in vehicles, particularly in driver assistance systems, and across the network to improve customer relations, sales, and after-sales support.
The Transition to Electric:
Renault Group is accelerating the transition to electric vehicles through its dedicated brand, Ampere. This pure player in electric vehicles and software is reinventing the Renault brand, positioning it as a leader in the zero-emission era. Mobilize, another key brand, is supporting customers in their transition to electric mobility by facilitating the charging experience through the sale of charging stations, distribution of Charge Pass, and installation of fast charging stations.
The Circular Economy:
Renault Group recognizes the growing importance of the circular economy and is actively promoting the use of second-hand and reused parts. The Future Is NEUTRAL platform serves as a valuable resource for the network, supporting the shift towards sustainable practices and meeting the increasing societal demand for environmentally responsible solutions.