On April 14, 2020, Dongfeng Renault announced its reorganization. Renault plans to transfer 50% of its shares to Dongfeng Motor Group, and Dongfeng Renault will stop its business activities related to the Renault brand. However, this is not the first time that Renault's joint venture in China has suffered setbacks. This article will review the development of Renault brand in China for more than 20 years.
From 65438 to 0964, France became the first western power to establish diplomatic relations with New China. After the reform and opening up, a large number of imported cars flooded into the China market, including French Renault 18. In the early 1980s, most cars imported from China were front and rear drive structures, while Renault 18 adopted the front and rear drive design, which was the application of innovative technology in that year.
With the rise of automobile joint ventures, Guangzhou Peugeot and Shenlong Automobile were established in 1985 and 1992 respectively. Renault signed a joint venture contract with China Aerospace Sanjiang Group Co., Ltd. (affiliated to China Aerospace Science and Industry Group Co., Ltd.) on June 6, 1993+165438. On February 3, the same year, the joint venture company was formally established in Xiaogan, Hubei. Sanjiang Renault Automobile Co., Ltd. invested 98 million US dollars, with Sanjiang Aerospace accounting for 55% and Renault accounting for 45%.
Sanjiang Renault, as the largest civil joint venture project of aerospace system, is also the only joint venture of Renault in China. Originally, it mainly produced the first generation and mid-term modified Trafic series light buses, which were officially put on the market on June 22nd. 1995. Tafik series not only includes 7-seat, 8-seat and 12-seat commercial vehicles, but also provides various versions of special vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, cash trucks and mail trucks.
The domestic Tafik adopts Renault original engine, and most parts are also shipped directly from France for parts assembly. In addition, the joint venture company also produced a small number of CKD third-generation Espace MPV models. Because the problem of low localization rate has not been solved, the product price of Sanjiang Renault remains high, and the sales volume has been greatly affected. Even in the most glorious year, the production and sales volume of the joint venture company is only 1700 vehicles.
In August 2000, Aerospace Sanjiang announced its withdrawal from light vehicle production. In May, 20001,Aerospace Brilliance Automobile Co., Ltd. (jointly established by Brilliance and Aerospace Science and Industry Group) plans to acquire 55% equity of Aerospace Sanjiang in Sanjiang Renault, so as to develop car projects. However, in 2002, an equity dispute occurred in Brilliance, which led to the temporary suspension of the restructuring of Sanjiang Renault.
In August 2003, Xiang Torch, the former leader of heavy truck industry, acquired 50% equity of Aerospace Brilliance held by Brilliance and established Aerospace Torch Automobile Co., Ltd. Xiang Torch hoped to open up cooperation channels with Renault through this move, thus entering the field of passenger car manufacturing. Unfortunately, the two sides failed to reach an agreement on how to qualify for automobile production and introduce models. In June, 2004, Xiang Torch transferred its 50% stake in the space torch to China Aerospace Science and Industry Group (34%) and Shenyang Aerospace Guangxin Group (16%), and the reorganization of Sanjiang Renault ran aground again.
After more than ten years, Renault brand has been sold in China market in the form of import. In 2008, the sales volume was less than 900. However, after the launch of Koleo in 2009, it rose sharply, reaching 654.38+0.47 million vehicles in 2065,438+02, and further increasing to 29.7 million vehicles in 2065,438+02. Restarting localization is therefore put on the agenda. This time, the partner is Dongfeng Motor, and the production qualification will be backed by Sanjiang Renault (SUV and MPV qualification only).
On the basis of restructuring Sanjiang Renault, Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd. and Renault established a joint venture automobile manufacturer-Dongfeng Renault Automobile Co., Ltd. with a 50: 50 equity ratio. 20 13 12, Dongfeng Renault project was approved by the national development and reform commission. On June 6th, 65438, Dongfeng and Renault formally signed a joint venture contract, which was approved by the Ministry of Commerce on October 26th.
2065 438+06 03 18 Dongfeng Renault's first domestic SUV went on the market. Subsequently, Dongfeng Renault launched a series of SUV models of Renault brand, Koleo and Kolebin (parameter | inquiry). At the same time, Dongfeng Renault's dealer network also sells domestic and imported models. In the middle of 20 17, Dongfeng Renault finally obtained the qualification of car production.
In the field of commercial vehicles, Brilliance and Renault jointly established Renault brilliance jinbei Automobile Co., Ltd. 20 17 to 12. Using Renault's technology and brilliance jinbei's brand, the company has realized the coordinated development of Jinbei, Song Hua and Renault, and created a brand-new model for the joint venture company to develop and operate foreign brands and independent brands at the same time.
Also in February of 20 17 and 17, Dongfeng Motor Group and Renault-Nissan Alliance set up a joint venture company to develop an electric vehicle-Yi Jie Texin Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. (eGT), with Dongfeng, Renault and Nissan holding 50%, 25% and 25% shares respectively in Yi Jie. On 20 19 Chengdu Auto Show, Renault E-ZE, the first pure electric small SUV in Yi Jie, was officially launched.
In addition, in the field of new energy, Renault also invested 65,438 billion yuan in Jiangling Group New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. in July 20 19. Renault holds 50% of the company's shares, Jiangling Group holds 37%, and the remaining 65,438+03% is held by China Agricultural Development Key Construction Fund Co., Ltd. Renault will also apply its accumulated experience in R&D, electric vehicle manufacturing, sales and service to this project to expand its influence in China's new energy vehicle market.
The data shows that Dongfeng Renault achieved a sales success of 72,000 vehicles in 2065,438+07, and then all the way down. 2065,438+0.85 million vehicles, sales volume decreased by 63% year-on-year. From June 20438 to March 2020, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the cumulative sales volume of Dongfeng Renault was only 663 vehicles, down 88.65% year-on-year. In view of poor operating conditions, Renault announced the transfer of shares in the joint venture company, but this does not mean withdrawing from the China market. In the future, Renault will focus on light commercial vehicles and electric vehicles in China. The light commercial vehicle business is carried out by Renault brilliance jinbei Automobile Co., Ltd., and the electric vehicle business is carried out by Yi Jie Texin Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. and Jiangling Group New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd.
Conclusion: From Sanjiang Renault to Dongfeng Renault, Renault brand has suffered two failed joint ventures in China market since 1990s. It's not just Renault. In recent years, the overall performance of French cars in China is not satisfactory, and the market share is getting smaller and smaller. Now, in the China market, Renault has chosen to "open up" the traditional passenger car field, focusing on light commercial vehicles and electric vehicles. Whether this strategic transformation has found the right direction, I believe time will be the best proof.