Renault reports mixed Q3 results

Renault reported mixed commercial results for the third quarter of 2026, with overall vehicle sales declining by 6 percent year-on-year to 497,799 units. The decline was driven by a 12.8 percent drop in Dacia sales, while Renault and Alpine saw growth.

Year-to-date sales show slight decline

For the first nine months of 2026, the group sold 1.662 million vehicles, a 2.2 percent decrease. However, revenue for the third quarter reached 11.6 billion euros, up 1.5 percent, according to the group's chief financial officer, Duncan Minto.

Revenue growth attributed to strategic factors

Minto attributed the increase in revenue to "an outstanding industrial and supply organization" and "a rigorous commercial discipline that prioritizes value over volume." The increase in revenue was largely driven by partner sales, including those with Chinese Geely in Brazil, and vehicle financing activity through Mobilize Financial Services.

Passenger car sales rise in Europe

Renault's passenger car sales in Europe rose by 6.3 percent, contributing to a 1.1 percent increase in global volumes over the nine months, with 930,011 passenger cars and 248,935 light commercial vehicles sold.

Electrification boosts Renault's performance

Electrification played a key role in Renault's performance, with electric vehicle sales in Europe increasing by 75.2 percent year-on-year. Electrified models accounted for 68 percent of Renault's passenger car sales as of the end of September, up 8.6 percentage points from the previous year.

Dacia faces challenges in the market

Dacia's performance contrasted sharply with Renault's, with the brand selling 144,175 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026, a 12.8 percent decline. For the first nine months of 2026, Dacia's volumes fell by 9.7 percent to 471,007 units.

Challenges in electrification and competition

The manufacturer cited a "high comparison base in the third quarter of 2025" and the "transition of its range and its powertrains" as reasons for the decline. Dacia is lagging behind in electrification as the European market shifts rapidly toward electric vehicles, facing increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers in the C segment.

New products expected to boost Dacia

The brand is preparing for a new product offensive, with the first European deliveries of the Sandero hybrid, the new Spring, and the Striker expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Alpine shows strong growth

Alpine continued its strong performance, with sales increasing by 65.6 percent since the beginning of 2026. After nine months, its sales reached 12,269 units, surpassing the total for 2025.

A290 drives Alpine's success

The growth was primarily driven by the A290, which accounted for 8,618 registrations since the beginning of the year. Alpine sold 3,723 vehicles in the third quarter, a 58.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.