Posted Sep 18, 2022 9:14 AM
The business career of the Megane E-Tech , Renault’s new electric model, looks promising. Arrived in May only in concessions, the compact sedan can flatter itself with promising figures, in France and in Europe.
In France, the vehicle totaled 6,257 registrations at the end of August, according to statistics from AAA Data. As is always the case during a launch, the figures for the first few months are inflated by the demonstration vehicles (VD), those examples purchased by dealers to show the car to the customer. 1,679 Méganes have been registered as such, i.e. 27% of the total.
First place two months in a row
This fairly high figure is explained by the strong capillarity of the Renault sales network, one of the most developed in France. But the VD quickly decreased (116 copies only last month). That didn’t stop the Mégane E-Tech from winning in July then in August first place for sales of 100% electric cars in France.
The newcomer also got off to a good start in Europe with a total of 10,378 copies at the end of August, including France. It already clearly outclasses the sales of the ZOE, it is true in clear loss of speed. The trend should remain favorable in the coming months: during a meeting with analysts a few days ago, management reported a strong order book of 30,000 copies.
On paper, the Mégane’s big rival was to be Volkswagen’s ID.3, launched in the fall of 2020. But the Wolfsburg group’s compact sedan appears to be a commercial disappointment, with sales plunging from the start. beginning of the year in Europe. In France, there will probably be no match: the ID.3 only aligns 1,492 registrations over the first eight months of 2022 (-52% over one year).
If the sales of the Mégane are watched closely, it is because Renault itself has set the bar quite high. Luca de Meo, the boss who arrived two years ago, sold it as the first incarnation of the “Renaulution” he launched upon his arrival. He gave it strong praise several times before its launch.
The model symbolizes both the refocusing on the C segment (family vehicles, with higher margins), the conversion to electric, and the affirmation of the manufacturer’s French roots ( it is made in Dieppe ). Customer disaffection would therefore be very bad news. Fortunately, this is not the scenario that is emerging. The Mégane costs between 37,000 and 50,000 euros, depending on the version and the level of equipment, before deduction of the ecological bonus.
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