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Q&A with Renault Pro+’s Stephen Whitcombe
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Renault ready to help the UK’s businesses get moving again
Andrew Walker talks to Stephen Whitcombe, Head of Renault Vans and PRO+, about how the Covid-19 lockdown affected its plans – and what we’ve still got to look forward to in 2020-2021
When you moved into your new role at the start of the year, I imagine that you were looking forward to the challenge of increasing volumes for Renault Pro+. How has the global pandemic affected Renault here in the UK and how well do you think the brand has coped with it?
Stephen Whitcombe: We, like all businesses, were unavoidably affected by the global pandemic. We benefitted from being part of a global company and could learn from colleagues at Groupe Renault in territories hit before the UK. This allowed us to make informed and timely decisions to ensure the well-being of our staff and customers.
Renault UK could also act quickly to ensure that charity partners were allocated extra vehicles (in particular, vans) to help under the increased pressure of the crisis; including Blood Bikes, The Mayor’s Fund and The Felix Project, the latter seeing unprecedented demand for food donations during lockdown.
Dealerships were closed but we remained available for customers, especially our fleet teams who utilised new methods of communication to stay in touch with customers during this critical time, including setting up the
The all-electric Renault Kangoo Z.E.33 is set to help Southampton City Council clean up in its drive to make the city a healthier, greener and more sustainable environment for present and future generations.
The Council has taken delivery of 24 zero-emissions-in-use Renault Kangoo Z.E.33 Panel Vans, which will be used in the upkeep of the City and contribute to its goal of 90 per cent of its fleet to be zero
Renault “EV Café”, an interactive webinar space about EVs in general with guest expert speakers, including academics, business owners who have switched to EVs, and ancillary businesses who support the EV industry.
We continue to have an excellent product offering, with a wide range of E-LCVs, of great interest to potential fleets and individual van buyers.
Meanwhile, our Buy Now, Pay Later offer is an excellent incentive for van buyers looking to switch into a new vehicle with nothing to pay for the first three months.
Before lockdown, the UK government was pushing future mobility, as electric cars and vans. You have the Kangoo and Master Z.E. models in the Renault van range. Will you be launching any new electric models, a Trafic Z.E. for example?
SW: Renault has been a pioneer in the development of fully electric vehicles, selling in excess of 250,000 EV cars and vans since 2011. In the UK we are seeing significant growth in customer demand for electric vans – the electric van market increased by 190 per cent last year and Renault has outperformed this market growth with a 222 per cent growth
emission by 2030. The Z.E.33 vans were ordered after the award-winning light commercial was determined to be the best fit for its operational requirements by formal tender via the public sector framework.
The order fully utilised the variety of the Renault Kangoo Z.E.33 range, including one Crew Van version and a mixture of standard Panel Van and longer Maxi Panel body styles.
in sales volumes, achieving 31 per cent share of this growing market.
Clearly, however, we are not resting on our laurels. We have strengthened our established Kangoo Z.E. range, with the addition of a new higher specification Business+ edition, and in response to customer demand we will be introducing 3.5T derivatives of Master Z.E. to compliment the current 3.1T range.
These will include Chassis Cab and Platform Cab which will open a wealth of opportunities for Master Z.E. conversions.
Our fully electric ZOE has enjoyed fantastic media and customer response since its launch. We are now bringing the same market-leading features – such as 52 kWh battery and a 245-mile WLTP range – to our van customers with the launch of an all-new ZOE Van.
Trafic has been Europe’s best-selling van for a good few years now. In the face of increased competition, how will Renault maintain its market share in the challenging market beyond 2020?
SW: Renault Trafic celebrates its 40th birthday this year and continues to be our top-selling van in the UK. In response to customer demand for greater personalisation and a sportier look we have launched the New Trafic Black Edition range available in both panel and crew vans. This van brings a host of visual enhancements including black alloy wheels and black sports styling alongside Automatic Climate Control to enhance driver and passenger comfort.
It also features rear view parking cameras to
