Renault 202 Offers Launched To Restart Sales

As previously reported on Changing Lanes, Coronavirus has dealt a heavy blow to the motor industry in Ireland and Europe. Now attention must move towards restarting the industry in time for the 202 registration plate in July. Renault Ireland is the first distributor in Ireland to release details of an ambitious 202 offers campaign. The aim is to get people back into the showroom once restrictions are lifted.

In a press conference, Paddy McGee, Country Operations Director for Renault in Ireland, stated how car showrooms naturally accommodate social distancing in the retail environment. He outlined strict new guidelines for customers and staff that will be rolled out in Renault’s network of dealerships.

Dealer measures to secure safety of customers and staff

These in-depth guidelines include hand sanitising areas, number of customer entries to dealerships restricted and a “Drop & Go” key process for aftersales customers arriving for scheduled service. There will be strict service scheduling for customers to minimise busy periods and appointment-only servicing. Customer test drives will be unaccompanied. Cars will be sanitised on delivery and when dropped back. Customers can receive personalised sales videos to help reduce visits.

He also proposed that Government reduce VRT for the month of July to protect jobs in the motor industry and support consumers in Ireland during the second key registration period in the sales calendar. In July last year the new car market was at 25,000 with average VRT per unit at €5,500 and average VAT at €4,500. If car sales continued the trend in March, the market could be down 60% this July due to the current situation.

“A VRT reduction of say €3,000 in July (55% of the average VRT on new vehicles) would see the customer getting something back, reduce CO2 levels across the current car parc, and the process would work from a Revenue level, with the tax take for the Government increased,” said Mr McGee.

Renault 202 Offers

The Renault 202 offers campaign was also launched across new cars, used cars and light commercial vehicles. Some of the highlights include ‘Buy Now, Pay Later 3+2+1 Offer’ valid on all current stock across the Renault car range. The brand is offering 3 months deferred payments to customers as well as 2.02% APR and €1000 cashback. Renault’s payment deferral offer is also applicable on selected used cars at Renault dealerships.

Renault has also launched a new 202 ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ offer that allows LCV customers the potential to earn revenue for 3 months whilst not having any payments on their vans. 3 month deferred payments available for the Dacia brand too as well as other offers.

Paddy McGee concluded:

“We are in very unusual and uncertain times with the COVID-19 crisis affecting each and every one of us in a different way. The market is down understandably, and we are entering a difficult economic period globally and at home, which will impact us all.

202 is the second key selling period for us and we have to rise to the challenge and keep on motoring hence our VRT reduction proposal for July, and a real and transparent customer offer. We want to assure customers that our new deferred payments are real with no penalties after the three months and offering real savings so that they can be back on the road when restrictions are lifted and business resumes again.

Our network is ready to work with customers on their individual needs for 202, be it business or consumer, and we believe this offer is market leading and transparent to help customers make their decisions easier in tough times”.