Renault Australia switches to Ateco distribution

Renault cars are officially being imported to Australia by Ateco.

Announced in March, the switch from factory distribution to third-party distribution was made official on April 1.

Renault now sits alongside Ram, LDV, and Maserati as part of the Ateco stable in Australia. The current network of 57 dealers will remain.

Renault’s new boss in Australia, Glenn Sealey, says the brand will “study all right-hand drive products that can be homologated for Australia on a commercial basis” going forward.

At its 2015 sales peak Renault delivered more than 11,000 cars in Australia, but annual sales have slid for six consecutive years, dropping to 6904 in 2020.

The French brand last year declared it’s in Australia “for the long haul” with a renewed focus on SUVs and light commercial vehicles.

Renault Australia ex-managing director Anouk Poelmann last year said volume isn’t the goal, as the French brand pitches at buyers “seeking an alternative to the mainstream”.

The changes in Australia come after Renault’s global CEO, Luca de Meo, outlined his new plan to step away from an “immoderate quest for volume” and “unresolved approach to market and brand portfolio management”.

The brand will pull back from its plan to sell five million cars worldwide by 2022, and instead focus on developing and manufacturing cars more efficiently in search of greater profit.

Renault last year laid out its latest plan for the Australian market, which saw the Clio and Zoe axed from local plans, and the Kadjar following them out the door.