Renault plans
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strengthen its attack on the UK light commercial vehicle market with a car-derived van based on the Renault Five hatchback.
It is already sold on the Continent as the Renault Express (CAI, January 25). and is equipped with either a 1.1 and 1.4-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel engine. It will replace Renault's ageing 4F6, which has been losing sales to more modern competitors.
Renault UK was the top van importer last year with a market share of 5.4 per cent. Over 10,000 Master and Trafic vans were registered in 1985, with over half going to fleet operators. But its car-derived van, sales fell from 1,320 to 1,253.
The company is already predicting much higher sales with its new small van model of up to 4,000 units in the first sales year.
If Trafic and Master sales arc maintained — particularly against the new Transit — the extra models could boost Renault UK's market share to around seven per cent — if the total market remains the same as 1985.
Minor revisions are expected to be made to the Trafic and Master bodywork before the end of 1986, although driveline components will remain unaltered.
Right-hand-drive Masters. however, may be offered with the turbocharged 68kW (92hp) 2.5-litre Sofim diesel engine currently used in the [Niece Turbo Daily.
A five-tonne GVW version of the Master — called the B70 — is already offered in France with the 2.5-litre direct-injection engine.
The latest Renault Five van is built at the Billancourt plant in Paris, which is currently running at full capacity producing 450 Express vans (plus 100 old Renault Four models) per day on a double shift.