New Megane aims to grow segment penetration

24 July 2002: With the ending of the production of the current Renault Megane next week, the marque changes gear dramatically to increase its share of the segment market from 12.4 per cent to 14 per cent over the life of the Megane II, which will be on sale in Ireland before the end of October.

Megane I sold a solid five million units over its six-year lifespan, including the Scenic which started the industry-wide compact MPV trend. The next Megane will have a 7-version lineup, including hatchbacks, a wagon, and 5- and 7-seat MPVs - that last allowing it to equal the Opel Zafira in capacity. The Zafira is the only competitor who caught up on Scenic in volume sales in the size, though a number of other 7-seaters are due in the next year or so.

Emmanuel Aouad, brand director for Renault's lower-medium range, says he’s hoping to attract under 35s to the new car, which breaks traditional styling mores and uses elements from the Vel Satis and Avantime, the sometimes controversial new larger Renault cars from the conceptualising of designer Patric Le Quement.

The car will be highly-specified for the class, with tire pressure monitoring as currently seen on the Vel Satis, as well as the availability of the latest Bosch electronic stability technology and 6-speed gearbox for higher-powered versions.

Some 35 per cent of buyers in the segment across Europe are aged under 35.

July 2002