In recent years we have been hearing persistent rumors about the possible release of some French brands the US market without finally have occurred. The main problem with Peugeot and Renault is in bad steps taken in earlier stages spent in excess image.
In the case of Renault, signature had a very high success in the mid 80 . In those years the French company had bought national AMC and set out to revolutionize the market with an interesting range by price, full and European style, something that users see with good eyes.
If years before the small Renault 5, there christened LeCar had already conquered most concerned users with fuel consumption Renault 18 put their bit in the area of compact saloons although with less success (at least proportional to the volume of that market niche).
the proposal to conquer the C segment was clear at Renault: offer 9 and 11 European adapted to the local market. Owning AMC could seize the plant Wisconsin for domestic production , so that the long waiting lists and the disastrous currency fluctuations are avoided.
Something smaller than a Ford Escort at the time, was associated with a block of only 1.4 liters and 65 horses in its access variant. Something after the release would arrive 1.7 liters and 80 hp, and two liters with 95 hp who gave life to the sportiest versions. Depending on the chosen mechanics could have manual transmission four-and five-speed or automatic with only three.
The Alliance is available to customers in bodies of two four doors, and during its first year of sales achieved win no less than 142,000 users, an excellent data . Seeing that could be exploited much more the segment, AMC- launched in 1984 Renault Encore a renamed “11” with small cosmetic changes to suit local requirements. It was the great rival of the Ford Escort, Plymouth Horizon and Chevrolet Chevettes.
Encore registrations were also very positive and soon found a privileged place in the segment. were so good business results of these models even Renault decided to expand its offer with a convertible body developed from the Alliance and never was marketed in Europe. It appeared in 1985 as a 1986 model
In addition to many reliability problems Renault had to face to face with an economic situation in the country had changed significantly . The oil crisis had disappeared, fuels Reduced price and users stopped buying cheap and small cars, something we were not really used to, causing a drop in registrations to 150,000 units of Encore and Alliance in 1985.
The year 86 was much worse and with almost symbolic sales of 65,000 units Renault decided to launch the “21” to replace 18i / Sportswagon who had already exhausted its entire business cycle. It was renamed during the first marketing year (1987) as Renault Medallion although later be marketed as Eagle Medallion.
fever products of certain performance and dynamic design returned to the national scene, and without fear for the costs of gasoline and was when French firm introduced the GTA versions of the Alliance . They were sold in 1987 with two-door body and cabriolet. Encore name of “11” by Alliance Hatchback for marketing but the fact is that there have improved offer before caused sales go down empicado.
Also replaced
can you say that Renault failed? Yes and no . The Encore and Alliance came at the right time and made “August” but rest on their laurels waiting maximize caused initial investment in a short time fell outside place in a market that evolved forced marches. Having worked in conditions, perhaps the French firm would present a good market share.
During his commercial venture, Renault delivered more than 620,000 units of the Alliance and Encore in the United States, despite an excellent mismanagement figure. The firm should have studied the market to better anticipate local changes as they did Volkswagen and Toyota. Collaboration with Chrysler in the final years no avail, and although Jeep had an interesting reception in Europe thanks to the “Cherokee diesel engine Renault” , across the pond are not things went well.
a clear example of the end of US Renault was in its latest release: Eagle Premier . It was a mid-size sedan (here large) developed on the Renault 25 but become a conventional sedan . Had invested enough money to aesthetically adapted to national tastes but, once again, the car passed unnoticed. It was marketed along with other models of Eagle taking the product base Mitsubishi and yet did have some commercial success.
Will you return Renault to the US market? it is unclear what will happen in a few years. Although there are possibilities should perhaps start with Canada , a more similar in taste to the European market and which have fairly compact relevance country. Also connected to the French influence in regions such as Quebec or Montreal could help signing the diamond.
