Renault prepares to enter Latin American markets
Renault is getting ready to sell electric vehicles in Latin America starting next year. The list comprises the Megane E-Tech Electric, Kangoo E-Tech Electric and Master E-Tech Electric coming to Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. More countries will follow shortly.
The French company plans to launch the electric Megane and Kangoo in Brazil in the first half of 2023 and then in Argentina, Colombia and Mexico in the year’s second half. The new electric Master will be available in Brazil as well as Colombia and Mexico from the first half of next year. Argentina is not mentioned here.
What is more, Renault also scheduled the electric small car Kwid E-Tech Electric, known here as Dacia Spring Electric, for an even broader launch in Central and South America. The company names Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Curaçao, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic as launch markets from 2023. In Brazil the Kwid is already available with deliveries running since August, Renault reports.
Regarding the Brazilian launch of the Kwid E-Tech Electric, the manufacturer specifies that after a presentation programme in April 2022, the first batch of 750 vehicles was completely sold out. In addition, Renault’s mobility brand Mobilize announces an agreement with ride-hailing provider Zarp Localiza to offer 200 more examples of the Kwid E-Tech Electric to Uber drivers in São Paulo. Drivers will be able to benefit from various services related to the vehicle – including access to charging stations via the Mobilize charging app.
The E-Tech label covers both electric cars and light commercial vehicles. In Europe, the E-Tech range accounted for 36 per cent of vehicle sales in the first half of 2022, according to Renault. Specifically, more than 30,000 Megane E-Tech Electric were ordered in Europe, it said. While selling e-cars in Latin America is not yet a priority for many manufacturers, Renault is making an early push to serve this still small market. The French carmaker says it has “the largest distribution network for electric vehicles in the country” in Brazil.
“Electrified markets are booming, and Renault is well placed to serve customers with products that suit their needs,” expresses Fabrice Cambolive, chief operating officer of the Renault brand. “Our E-TECH Electric range is in line with customers aspirations to drive vehicles offering low running costs and sustainable mobility.”
Renault had unveiled the compact Megane E-Tech Electric in autumn 2021. As the first electric vehicle on Renault’s CMF EV platform, it marks the beginning of a new generation of vehicles for the French company. As a volume model, it is intended to attract a broad customer base. In June of this year, the manufacturer also presented the new generation of its classic electric utility vehicles: the Kangoo Rapid E-Tech Electric is the second generation of the battery-powered Renault compact van. In addition, the engineers have revised the larger electric Master in the class up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight.
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