Renault says it's a challenger brand, but won't chase Chinese brands with its pricing
Talks of budget-minded Renaults were sparked at the local launch for the new Duster small SUV, which is now the brand's cheapest model and starts at $31,990 before on-roads. Despite cheaper segment competition, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey says the brand isn't interested in the "bargain basement area".
"If you look at how typically the market is spread out today, that SUV segment that we talked about with Duster, and how 30 per cent sits below $30,000 – that's not us," he told media at the Duster launch.
"We're not in that bargain basement area, but with Duster, we're not in that very premium end either, $40,000 to $45,000.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"But we do have cars that sit there, which is Arkana, and we do have cars that sit above that, which is Megane E-Tech. So we're never going to be in that bottom 30 per cent, so to speak, but we will be in the fat, or the spike, of the segment, and we will be in the premium part of the segment.
"And you will see that with all our products, whether it is the small SUV segment, whether it is the van segment, you will see that displayed all the way through."
While unclear, that "bottom 30 per cent" likely encompasses many of Australia's newest small SUVs – particularly from newer Chinese challenger brands. The cheapest of these is the Chery Tiggo 4, priced from $23,990 drive-away, followed by the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS, both priced from $26,990 drive-away.
There's also the base Mahindra XUV3XO at $23,990 drive-away, another brand looking to put its stamp on the small SUV segment. Still, arguably the most direct rival to Renault's Duster is the Suzuki Jimny, which costs $30,490 before on-roads in its base form.
"We always operate as a challenger brand, because our volume is relatively low compared to the market. So we always see ourselves as a challenger brand," Mr Sealey added.
"But the reality of life is we are able to command – as long as the product's good enough – a premium position within that segment."
Mr Sealey's statement that Renault is a challenger brand is certainly backed up by relatively low sales, with 2871 so far this year – 958 of which were passenger vehicles. For context, the Tiggo 4, Jolion, and ZS have each outsold that figure by more than 10 times.
Renault's current best-seller isn't a passenger vehicle; it's the Master van with 1210 sales.
MORE: Renault Duster targeted at Jimny, Crosstrek buyers
MORE: Everything Renault
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Renault may be off the radar of many Australian buyers, but its local boss insists the brand won't slash prices to shift the status quo.
Talks of budget-minded Renaults were sparked at the local launch for the new Duster small SUV, which is now the brand's cheapest model and starts at $31,990 before on-roads. Despite cheaper segment competition, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey says the brand isn't interested in the "bargain basement area".
"If you look at how typically the market is spread out today, that SUV segment that we talked about with Duster, and how 30 per cent sits below $30,000 – that's not us," he told media at the Duster launch.
"We're not in that bargain basement area, but with Duster, we're not in that very premium end either, $40,000 to $45,000.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"But we do have cars that sit there, which is Arkana, and we do have cars that sit above that, which is Megane E-Tech. So we're never going to be in that bottom 30 per cent, so to speak, but we will be in the fat, or the spike, of the segment, and we will be in the premium part of the segment.
"And you will see that with all our products, whether it is the small SUV segment, whether it is the van segment, you will see that displayed all the way through."
While unclear, that "bottom 30 per cent" likely encompasses many of Australia's newest small SUVs – particularly from newer Chinese challenger brands. The cheapest of these is the Chery Tiggo 4, priced from $23,990 drive-away, followed by the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS, both priced from $26,990 drive-away.
There's also the base Mahindra XUV3XO at $23,990 drive-away, another brand looking to put its stamp on the small SUV segment. Still, arguably the most direct rival to Renault's Duster is the Suzuki Jimny, which costs $30,490 before on-roads in its base form.
"We always operate as a challenger brand, because our volume is relatively low compared to the market. So we always see ourselves as a challenger brand," Mr Sealey added.
"But the reality of life is we are able to command – as long as the product's good enough – a premium position within that segment."
Mr Sealey's statement that Renault is a challenger brand is certainly backed up by relatively low sales, with 2871 so far this year – 958 of which were passenger vehicles. For context, the Tiggo 4, Jolion, and ZS have each outsold that figure by more than 10 times.
Renault's current best-seller isn't a passenger vehicle; it's the Master van with 1210 sales.
MORE: Renault Duster targeted at Jimny, Crosstrek buyers
MORE: Everything Renault
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Renault may be off the radar of many Australian buyers, but its local boss insists the brand won't slash prices to shift the status quo.
Talks of budget-minded Renaults were sparked at the local launch for the new Duster small SUV, which is now the brand's cheapest model and starts at $31,990 before on-roads. Despite cheaper segment competition, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey says the brand isn't interested in the "bargain basement area".
"If you look at how typically the market is spread out today, that SUV segment that we talked about with Duster, and how 30 per cent sits below $30,000 – that's not us," he told media at the Duster launch.
"We're not in that bargain basement area, but with Duster, we're not in that very premium end either, $40,000 to $45,000.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"But we do have cars that sit there, which is Arkana, and we do have cars that sit above that, which is Megane E-Tech. So we're never going to be in that bottom 30 per cent, so to speak, but we will be in the fat, or the spike, of the segment, and we will be in the premium part of the segment.
"And you will see that with all our products, whether it is the small SUV segment, whether it is the van segment, you will see that displayed all the way through."
While unclear, that "bottom 30 per cent" likely encompasses many of Australia's newest small SUVs – particularly from newer Chinese challenger brands. The cheapest of these is the Chery Tiggo 4, priced from $23,990 drive-away, followed by the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS, both priced from $26,990 drive-away.
There's also the base Mahindra XUV3XO at $23,990 drive-away, another brand looking to put its stamp on the small SUV segment. Still, arguably the most direct rival to Renault's Duster is the Suzuki Jimny, which costs $30,490 before on-roads in its base form.
"We always operate as a challenger brand, because our volume is relatively low compared to the market. So we always see ourselves as a challenger brand," Mr Sealey added.
"But the reality of life is we are able to command – as long as the product's good enough – a premium position within that segment."
Mr Sealey's statement that Renault is a challenger brand is certainly backed up by relatively low sales, with 2871 so far this year – 958 of which were passenger vehicles. For context, the Tiggo 4, Jolion, and ZS have each outsold that figure by more than 10 times.
Renault's current best-seller isn't a passenger vehicle; it's the Master van with 1210 sales.
MORE: Renault Duster targeted at Jimny, Crosstrek buyers
MORE: Everything Renault
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Renault may be off the radar of many Australian buyers, but its local boss insists the brand won't slash prices to shift the status quo.
Talks of budget-minded Renaults were sparked at the local launch for the new Duster small SUV, which is now the brand's cheapest model and starts at $31,990 before on-roads. Despite cheaper segment competition, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey says the brand isn't interested in the "bargain basement area".
"If you look at how typically the market is spread out today, that SUV segment that we talked about with Duster, and how 30 per cent sits below $30,000 – that's not us," he told media at the Duster launch.
"We're not in that bargain basement area, but with Duster, we're not in that very premium end either, $40,000 to $45,000.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"But we do have cars that sit there, which is Arkana, and we do have cars that sit above that, which is Megane E-Tech. So we're never going to be in that bottom 30 per cent, so to speak, but we will be in the fat, or the spike, of the segment, and we will be in the premium part of the segment.
"And you will see that with all our products, whether it is the small SUV segment, whether it is the van segment, you will see that displayed all the way through."
While unclear, that "bottom 30 per cent" likely encompasses many of Australia's newest small SUVs – particularly from newer Chinese challenger brands. The cheapest of these is the Chery Tiggo 4, priced from $23,990 drive-away, followed by the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS, both priced from $26,990 drive-away.
There's also the base Mahindra XUV3XO at $23,990 drive-away, another brand looking to put its stamp on the small SUV segment. Still, arguably the most direct rival to Renault's Duster is the Suzuki Jimny, which costs $30,490 before on-roads in its base form.
"We always operate as a challenger brand, because our volume is relatively low compared to the market. So we always see ourselves as a challenger brand," Mr Sealey added.
"But the reality of life is we are able to command – as long as the product's good enough – a premium position within that segment."
Mr Sealey's statement that Renault is a challenger brand is certainly backed up by relatively low sales, with 2871 so far this year – 958 of which were passenger vehicles. For context, the Tiggo 4, Jolion, and ZS have each outsold that figure by more than 10 times.
Renault's current best-seller isn't a passenger vehicle; it's the Master van with 1210 sales.
MORE: Renault Duster targeted at Jimny, Crosstrek buyers
MORE: Everything Renault
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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Greeting the Australian prime minister with an enthusiastic full-body hug, Christopher Luxon said his nation had "no greater friend than Australia". "You are family," the New Zealand leader said. "There's nothing more certain than the bedrock of the relationship that we have between our two great countries." It is Mr Albanese's second time across the Tasman as Australia's leader and although he and Mr Luxon represent opposite ends of the political spectrum, both affirmed their nations "common outlook and deep trust". During an annual leaders' meeting, the pair discussed defence, the war in Gaza and trade deals amid what they described as "the most unpredictable and dangerous strategic environment in decades". Mr Albanese addressed attendees by noting the "uncertain world" the two nations faced with "geopolitical tension, issues with trade and conflict in the world". "But there is one thing that is certain and that is that Australia and New Zealand stand together," he said. The leaders committed to further advancing the trans-Tasman single economic market, established in 2009 to grow trade and deepen investment links between the two countries, as "an example for the world". "At a time when free and fair trade is being questioned, I think it's really important that we emphasise the opportunity that's there as well for both of our nations being located as we are," Mr Albanese said. "Just to our north is the fastest-growing region in the world in human history, and that represents opportunity." The "complicated" relationship between opportunities and challenges posed by China became a focus of talks behind the scenes "China is a massive and significant player in the world, and it's a permanent feature of global affairs," Mr Albanese told reporters shortly after the closed door meetings. "We have a approach which is about co-operating where we can (and) we disagree where we must. "We have different systems, different values ... We'll stand up for those at different times, and we'll have differences." The pair also discussed the impact of the US President Donald Trump's tariffs. While Mr Trump raised tariffs against dozens of nations, he showed mercy on Australia and kept levies against most products at 10 per cent. But New Zealand was not spared - hit with a 15 per cent "reciprocal" tariff. Mr Albanese and Mr Luxon said they stood for "rules-based trade" where businesses could be given certainty and predictability. They also agreed to work together to reform the World Trade Organisation as the foundation and enforcer of global trade rules. David Capie, from Victoria University of Wellington, said the Luxon government had leaned into its partnership with Australia since coming to power. "You've got a New Zealand government that wants to do more with Australia," the foreign and defence policy expert told AAP. "The up-ending of the economic order with the Trump tariffs, the Middle East - all of those things NZ and Australia are finding that they're very closely aligned." The meeting coincided with the release of a joint statement from the foreign ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, condemning Israel's plan to intensify the war on Gaza and assume full control of the territory. In it, the ministers said they "strongly reject" Israel's decision to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza and warned the looming military operation risked violating international law and putting the lives of hostages and civilians in more danger. Mr Albanese's two-day trip to New Zealand continues on Sunday. Australia and New Zealand are promising to strengthen trade and security ties in an "increasingly fractious and uncertain" world. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has crossed the Tasman for annual talks with his Kiwi counterpart. "In a time of global uncertainty, the certainty and the strength of this bond has never been more important," Mr Albanese said in Queenstown on Saturday. Greeting the Australian prime minister with an enthusiastic full-body hug, Christopher Luxon said his nation had "no greater friend than Australia". "You are family," the New Zealand leader said. "There's nothing more certain than the bedrock of the relationship that we have between our two great countries." It is Mr Albanese's second time across the Tasman as Australia's leader and although he and Mr Luxon represent opposite ends of the political spectrum, both affirmed their nations "common outlook and deep trust". During an annual leaders' meeting, the pair discussed defence, the war in Gaza and trade deals amid what they described as "the most unpredictable and dangerous strategic environment in decades". Mr Albanese addressed attendees by noting the "uncertain world" the two nations faced with "geopolitical tension, issues with trade and conflict in the world". "But there is one thing that is certain and that is that Australia and New Zealand stand together," he said. The leaders committed to further advancing the trans-Tasman single economic market, established in 2009 to grow trade and deepen investment links between the two countries, as "an example for the world". "At a time when free and fair trade is being questioned, I think it's really important that we emphasise the opportunity that's there as well for both of our nations being located as we are," Mr Albanese said. "Just to our north is the fastest-growing region in the world in human history, and that represents opportunity." The "complicated" relationship between opportunities and challenges posed by China became a focus of talks behind the scenes "China is a massive and significant player in the world, and it's a permanent feature of global affairs," Mr Albanese told reporters shortly after the closed door meetings. "We have a approach which is about co-operating where we can (and) we disagree where we must. "We have different systems, different values ... We'll stand up for those at different times, and we'll have differences." The pair also discussed the impact of the US President Donald Trump's tariffs. While Mr Trump raised tariffs against dozens of nations, he showed mercy on Australia and kept levies against most products at 10 per cent. But New Zealand was not spared - hit with a 15 per cent "reciprocal" tariff. Mr Albanese and Mr Luxon said they stood for "rules-based trade" where businesses could be given certainty and predictability. They also agreed to work together to reform the World Trade Organisation as the foundation and enforcer of global trade rules. David Capie, from Victoria University of Wellington, said the Luxon government had leaned into its partnership with Australia since coming to power. "You've got a New Zealand government that wants to do more with Australia," the foreign and defence policy expert told AAP. "The up-ending of the economic order with the Trump tariffs, the Middle East - all of those things NZ and Australia are finding that they're very closely aligned." The meeting coincided with the release of a joint statement from the foreign ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, condemning Israel's plan to intensify the war on Gaza and assume full control of the territory. In it, the ministers said they "strongly reject" Israel's decision to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza and warned the looming military operation risked violating international law and putting the lives of hostages and civilians in more danger. Mr Albanese's two-day trip to New Zealand continues on Sunday.
