In an ongoing series of interviews aimed at offering local automotive brands an opportunity to touch base with South Africa, we opened the floor to the managing director of Renault Southern Africa, Shumani Tshifularo.
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A proudly French marque that is celebrating 125 years of car manufacture, the South African office of Renault finds itself in a relatively unique situation.
As confirmed by current MD, Shumani Tshifularo, while the past few years have realised numerous frustrations around unavoidable delays with launching new products – such as the Clio, Captur and three-quarter-tonner double-cab Oroch bakkie, 2022 saw the sale of the most-ever Renaults in South Africa. The primary reason for this success has been the value proposition driven by its Indian-sourced products, which was led by the Kiger compact SUV.
“While other brands have noted the popularity of the Kiger and since introduced compelling rival models, together with a comprehensive update of this product scheduled for the middle of 2024, we remain confident that the Kiger will continue to sell well for us,” says Tshifularo with a broad smile across his face.
Related: Renault Oroch Won’t Arrive in SA as Soon as Anticipated
This smile lingered longer as I mentioned the highly anticipated Duster-based Oroch bakkie that has for some time been tipped for local introduction. “This product has been fully homologated and is ready to launch, but we would be doing this characterful pick-up solution an injustice by introducing it at the proposed pricing that is currently being dictated by exchange rates and import taxes. Sourced from Latin America so subject to a 25% duty, together with the fact that Oroch is classed as an SUV rather than a workhorse that would allow the customer to at least claim VAT back, it’s rather a case of waiting for the market conditions to alter before we can achieve the kind of pricing that would prove enticing.”
At this stage, there are no plans to introduce the Nissan Navara-cloned Renault Alaskan double-cab to South Africa.
So, what’s coming for Renault?
Renault South Africa is set for a busy 2024 with the significantly updated Clio set to arrive – with an automatic transmission option – in the middle of the year. An update of our current Top 12 Best Buys winner, the Captur, will follow shortly after its hatchback sibling.
Related: TRACK TEST: Renault Megane Trophy 300 EDC – CPS 2024
The big news for Renault is the arrival of an all-new Duster. A product that continues to prove popular for its ruggedness as well as its wallet-friendliness, the third generation of this rebadged Dacia SUV is pencilled in for a November launch, says Tshifularo with his fingers crossed. A big brother to the new Duster called the Bigster looks set to join the local fray by 2026.
Renault South Africa’s strategy for new energy vehicles will focus on hybrid technology with products like the Captur and Arkana set to showcase this drivetrain solution. “While Renault remains a proud contributor to the global advancement of electric mobility, for our market – and as is the consideration for many brands – we need to make a case for battery-electric technology based on potential volume, something that simply isn’t present now.”
“I wouldn’t buy a French car.”
Acknowledging that South African consumers have long memories when it comes to the reputation of French cars sold here over the years, Tshifularo is quick to point out the level of continued investment – in people and logistics – that has taken place from Renault’s side for several years now. “A vehicle has wheels, and these wheels need to keep rolling. It hurts customers when their wheels aren’t available,” he says. “We currently have a warehouse brimming with R100 million worth of replacement parts for our cars and should an owner not be able to get their vehicle back timeously, our dedicated team of customer relations officers is mandated to make alternative arrangements, including a loan car, to ensure that the next conversation around a braai isn’t one about a disappointing experience with a French car.”
Find the full feature in the February 2023 issue of CAR Magazine.
