Renault launches new dealership, says Nigeria is a key market

As the Federal Government pushes ahead with its agenda aimed at revamping the Nigerian automotive industry, European automaker, Renault, has expressed its readiness to key into the agenda and play an active role in the country’s automotive market.

The French automaker disclosed this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the first Renault full-fledged sales, service and spares facility in Lagos in partnership with Dana Cars and Services Limited, following the re-launch of the Renault brand under its global slogan, ‘Drive the Change’ at an international press conference in Lagos.

Renault said the new partnership is committed to a strong representation in Nigeria, a key market that is expected to deliver significant growth and contribution to Renault’s global strategy, while boosting its share of the African market.

Renault, whose core market is Europe, where it is renowned for its role in motor sport and formula 1, said it is dedicated to be a long-term player in Nigeria.

Christel Galbrun, vice president, Renault, speaking at the event, said African automotive market continues to promise sustainable prospects for growth in the coming years with Nigeria charting the course in emerging African markets.

“Renault’s vision in Nigeria is to be people-centric and innovative, offering sustainable automobile facility as well as quality and affordable – easy to maintain cars with improved quality of life for every customer, while keying into the Federal Government agenda,” she said.

She added that the partnership with Dana Cars and Services would help Renault achieve these objectives and subsequently raise the profile of the brand in Nigeria. “Our plan is to immediately increase our market share through new model introduction, brand development and retail network expansion.”

Among some of Renault models in Nigeria are Latitude executive sedan, Fluence, Duster, Koleos, Sandero-Stepway and Logan.

Joseph Fernandes, vice president, operations, Dana Cars and Services Limited, the new Renault custodian, described the inauguration of ‘Renault -Drive the Change’ campaign as the beginning of a purposeful relationship and a commitment towards providing world-class automotive experience to customers in Nigeria.

Dana Cars and Services seeks to replicate Renault’s ambitious accomplishments and even surpass it, using time-tested integrated sales and marketing approach to position Renault among leading marquees in Nigerian automobile market, he said.

“Renault is renowned the world-over as an automobile leader in the Formula 1 area with eleven World Championships,” he said. “This is why we partnered with Renault to introduce superior quality cars and vans that are adaptable to the Nigerian weather and road conditions.”

Explaining that the maxim ‘Renault – Drive the Change’ is an ingenuous branding that meets the demands of customers in emerging markets like Nigeria and would attract new clientele to Renault styling and all-terrain capability, Fernandes said Dana Cars and Services has trained its service technicians in multiple auto repair disciplines and acquaint them extensively in Renault’s cutting edge and ever changing technology.

“I, therefore, reiterate that we have some of the best trained technicians that can handle complex auto repair jobs,” he said, adding that Renault and Dana Cars and Services are fully committed to delivering the best European engineered quality cars and services to the Nigerian customer.