Renault recently supplied Sijimix, a leading UAE-based readymix concrete supplier, with 10 units of its K 380 trucks.

Renault Trucks recorded significant business growth last year, with a total of 51,460 vehicles invoiced – up 25 per cent – in a dynamic market which has seen strong demand for commercial vehicles. The leading trucks manufacturer also recorded a 44 per cent increase in its order intake.

In the international market alone, the company witnessed a 15 per cent rise in invoicing and a seven per cent increase in orders. The brand has also experienced an increase in the penetration of its maintenance agreements, which accompanied 30 per cent of vehicle sales.

“2021 was marked by an increase in Renault Trucks' market share in all its regions. The manufacturer made its best progress in Turkey, with a market share of 6.7 per cent, the highest for 17 years, and achieved an impressive eight per cent in the Middle East,” says a spokesman for the company.

In Africa, Latin America and Asia, Renault Trucks achieved a market share of 16 per cent (+5 percentage points), with remarkable performances in Chile, Morocco and Indonesia.

In Europe, Renault Trucks also confirmed its good results, with a 41 per cent increase in invoicing in the market for vehicles over 6 tons and increased activity in all its markets. In France, the manufacturer now boasts a 10-year high market share of 29.8 per cent. The brand performed particularly well in Poland, with an 89 per cent increase (1,705 vehicles), and the UK (+56 per cent).

The manufacturer also recorded steady growth in the penetration of its service agreements, which accompanied 45 per cent of its vehicle sales in 2021.

In the over 16-tonne segment, registrations rose by 20.7 per cent, enabling Renault Trucks to stabilise its market share at 8.8 per cent.

Renault Trucks is keeping pace with the six- to 16-tonne market, with its share up 0.7 points to 7.3 per cent and registrations increasing by 11 per cent.

In 2021, demand for used trucks remained very high in a market boosted by the upturn in activity and a shortage of new vehicles due to disruptions to production.

Renault Trucks invoiced 13 per cent (8,926 units) fewer vehicles than in 2020, due to a inventory level falling below 1,000 vehicles, which was historically low.

In 2021, Renault Trucks continued its investment in the circular economy, converting 300 vehicles at its Used Trucks Factory in Bourg-en-Bresse, France, and launching a limited series of used T Robust 13 L tractors designed to last at least 1 million km.

 

Electric Mobility

For several years now, Renault Trucks' range of electric trucks has been constantly expanding and its sales volumes reflect this rapid progress: in 2021, 249 electric trucks were delivered and 613 were ordered.

In a European market where volumes remain modest (450 registrations), the manufacturer's share stands at 17 per cent.

Renault Trucks is stepping up its strategy with increased ambitions: 50 per cent of its sales volumes in 2030 will comprise electric vehicles and 100 per cent of the vehicles it markets will be carbon neutral by 2040, the spokesman says.

The company is now expanding its all-electric range and has announced the start of sales for 2023 of two new models of up to 44 tonnes, namely the Renault Trucks T E-Tech for regional transport and the Renault Trucks C E-Tech for the construction industry.

These new models in Renault Trucks' heavy-duty range will be fitted with two or three electric motors providing a combined power of up to 490 kW (equivalent to 666 hp). They will be also equipped with an Optidriver gearbox.

The Renault Trucks T and C E-Tech will have two to six lithium-ion battery packs with a capacity of 180 to 540 kWh. The vehicles' batteries can be fully charged in 9.5 hours by alternating current (AC) up to 43 kW, or in 2.5 hours by direct current (DC) up to 250 kW. These trucks will be able to travel up to 300 km on a single charge and up to 500 km with a one-hour intermediate fast charge (250 kW).

In order to adapt easily to any type of bodywork and consequently to any type of use, the Renault Trucks T and C E-Tech can be equipped with three types of power take-off (PTO): electric, electromechanical or on the gearbox.

These new electric trucks will have a gross vehicle weight of 44 tonnes and be available in 4x2 and 6x2 tractor versions and 4x2, 6x2 and 8x4 tridem rigids.

The Renault Trucks T and C E-Tech will be manufactured at the Renault Trucks plant in Bourg-en-Bresse.

The company’s full electric range now extends from 3.1 to 44 tonnes.