Renault launches flex fuel vehicle
Gazeta Mercantil
Brazil, May 27
The Brazilian division of Renault will produce flex fuel vehicles in the Sao Jose dos Pinhais plant (Parana state) concerning Clio 1.6 and Scenic 1.6. The company has launched a special Clio Sedan line along with the cosmetic and perfume chain O Boticario, with which is has been forging co-branding partnerships since 2002. Renault expects 2,100 sales in five months. The company appointed that women purchased 52% out of 13,071 sales of Clio in 2003. Renault sold 2,334 units in Jan-Apr 2004 and predicts the production of a new model by 2006. Volkswagen launched Gol Total flex in March 2003 followed by GM, which launched Corsa Flex Power in June 2003 and by Fiat. PSA Peugeot Citroen plans to launch a model in 2005. According to the Brazilian association of motor engine makers Anfavea, alcohol-fueled cars accounted for 24.4% or 27,170 units out of the total sales last April over 5.1% in January 2003. Renault, which acquired the Japanese Nissan Motors in 1999, inaugurated an utility vehicle plant in Brazil in 2001 with US$230mil investments. The plant makes Master van (Renault), Frontier and X-Terra pickups (Nissan). Renault has been investing US$1.350bil since 1997, US$750mil of which were dedicated to the car plant, US$150mil of which were invested in the engine unit, US$230mil were directed at in the utility vehicle plant and US$220mil at the car dealer chain. The group expects 71,134 sales and a 4.3% market share over 59,903 sales in 2003.
Petroleumworld News 27 May 2004
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