Costello believes we should look to the Renault 5 E-Tech as a clue to the Renault 4’s future fleet success.
He said: “What’s been great with 5 is that it works well in all channels. So, it’s a remarkably successful retail car. Within fleet we’ve got it working in salary sacrifice, we’ve got it working in corporate, we’ve got it working in public sector, and I see R4 with the same level of versatility.
“I think it’s going to be really popular in sal-sac. It is iconic and what I love is the way they’ve looked back to the original. What we’ve done with a lot of dealers and launch events is we have the original side by side with the new. It is great to see the design cues and great to see some of the design language coming across – and customers sync really well with that. We’ve had such a passionate response to R5, and I think we’ll have the same with 4.
“R4, I think will do well in sal-sac, and I think it will do well in corporate and public sector. Of course, with the boot capacity, and the general size of the vehicle, it will allow us to move across a broader variety of car grades than the R5 currently allows, so I’m super excited!
“I think we’re going to see R4 fleet drivers coming from competitor products, but you will also get customers looking at a range of products, that move from one to the other – and we saw that a lot with Scenic. With Scenic, we saw customers going in to look at Megane, seeing the range and technology of Scenic, and seeing what a great proposition it is.
“We’re really proud of the breadth that the Renault range has, the biggest challenge that we’ve always got, is taking people on the journey, as where Renault was as a fleet brand five-years ago, to where we are today, and getting them to drive and try the vehicle.
“Test drives are so important to us – either going to a dealer environment, or doing a fleet test drive, but after getting them to try the products, we then find customers move between the models. Our biggest drive at the moment, is to get people to drive, and experience the technology, and to see Renault as it is today – because it has moved on so much!”
Costello believes as with the 5, the Iconic and Techno equipment grades will be fleet favourites with the 4.
He said: “In the sal-sac arena, we’re seeing customers that really, really love the car, and want to get the best experience that they can, and particularly on the R5, spec up.
“R4 will allow us to work with salary sacrifice for the 20% taxpayer. A lot of electric vehicles over the last couple of years have a very high list price, which has been very centric towards higher taxpayers.
“It is great to democratise the electric vehicle, with these better options, but customers for the Renault 4 and Renault 5 definitely want the looks, the heritage that comes with the product, and the technology has got to be right. Conversion from getting people out in demos, and getting orders in, is very, very high. We’ve been really pleased to see that.
“People have waited a long time for the 5, and they’ve been super excited to drive it, and then get their hands on one! And it’s going to be more of the same for 4, and Twingo as well. If you look at the predicted price point, just like Dacia Spring, I think it’s going to be really good to give that choice, that range.
“I think we will do some R4 in job-need fleet, and we will offer it alongside other models – it is great for customers to get that choice and give them something that meets their technical needs.
“It’s also something that their drivers will love. It is all about staff retention, and staff engagement – if fleet managers are getting really positive feedback, and have enjoyable conversations with fleet drivers, that’s a great place to be, and that’s conversations I’m having on a weekly basis. I’m having fleet managers send me pictures of their first drivers getting into R5 and Scenic – it’s great to get that kind of engagement.
“Renault are in fleet for the long-term, we’ve got the right products coming through, we just need to raise the awareness of our products and tech and just get people driving them. So, I need to not to get too excited about the car launches, I need to see it as the group portfolio.
“When you look at the Renault Group, I can offer everything from the Dacia Spring, right up to the award-winning Renault Master van. and everything inbetween! All with one contract, one contact with the customer, one set of terms, it’s really at the heart of what we’re trying to achieve. The Renault Group proposition – rather than individual cars.
“What we’re trying to do, is come across with a consultative approach, with a great product portfolio, to support whatever solution that needs to be driven.”
