Sales rose for the third consecutive year. Renault sold 2,722,062 units worldwide, up 3.6% from 2010, whereas Nissan sold 4,669,981 units, up 14.4%. 

As a result, the Renault-Nissan Alliance captured 10.7%* of the global market in 2011, up from 10.3% the previous year .

'The Alliance capitalized on the resurgence of the US economy and gained significant market share in the regions that will drive growth in the 21st century,' said Carlos Ghosn (Inset), chief executive officer of Renault-Nissan Alliance. 'Double-digit sales growth is solid progress – particularly during a year in which we faced Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, the abnormal strength of the yen, and financial turmoil in Europe.'

Renault group highlights

In 2011, Renault posted record global sales of 2.7m units, up 3.6% compared with a year ago, with 43% of those sales generated outside Europe. Sales outside Europe totaled a record 1,172,686 units, up 19.2%, driven by fast-expanding markets such as Russia (+40%), Turkey (+13%) and Latin America (+10%).

In terms of sales by brand, Renault led with 2,260,694 units sold, up 6.8% compared with a year ago, and accounting for 83% of the Group’s sales. Sales of Dacia fell 1.8% due to supply constraints caused by the tsunami in Japan. Renault Samsung Motors fell 27%.

In 2011, six out of the Group’s top ten markets were located outside Europe with Brazil replacing Germany as Renault’s second-biggest market after France. Renault’s sales in Brazil, where it plans to expand capacity in 2013, grew 21% to a record 194,300 units in a market that expanded 3%. Its market share stood at 5.7%, up 0.9 percentage points from 2010 led by demand for models such as the Sandero hatchback, as well as the Logan and Clio small cars.

In Russia, Renault posted both record sales and market share. Sales jumped 60% to 154,734 units, making it Renault’s fastest-growing market. Market share rose to 5.8%, up 0.7 percentage points from the previous year. Sales were led by the Logan, the Sandero and the Fluence luxury sedan.

Despite economic uncertainty and waning consumer confidence in Europe, Renault remained the No. 2 brand, taking an 8.6% share of the passenger car and light commercial vehicle (LCV) market. Its top-selling passenger cars in Europe were the medium-sized Megane, the Clio and the Twingo mini vehicle. Renault was also Europe’s light commercial vehicle leader for the fourteenth consecutive year with a 15.6% market share.

Nissan highlights

Nissan posted record global sales of 4.67m units in 2011, up 14.4% compared to 2010.

In China, Nissan’s largest market, the company posted record sales of 1,247,738 units, a 21.9% increase over 2010, led by strong sales of the Sunny and Teana sedans.

In the Americas, Nissan reported record sales of 1,561,230 units for Nissan and Infiniti brand vehicles throughout the region encompassing North, Central and South America, up 17.2% compared with the previous year. The Nissan brand alone gained a market share of 7.5%, up 0.6 percentage points, becoming the No. 2 Asian automotive brand in the region.

The U.S., Mexico and Brazil posted the largest single-country gains. Sales in the US totaled a record 1,042,534 units, up 14.7% compared with 2010 led by the Versa compact car and the Rogue crossover. The Nissan Altima sedan also had a robust sales year and continues to rank among the best-selling vehicles in the country. Market share in the US grew to 8.2%.

In Mexico, where Nissan will open a third plant in 2013 to support its rapid growth across the Americas, sales grew 18.6% while its market share grew to a record 24.8%.

In Brazil, where Nissan plans to build its first plant in Resende in 2014, Nissan’s sales nearly doubled to 67,097 units. Nissan was Brazil’s fastest-growing automotive brand in 2011.

In Japan, Nissan reported sales of 591,312 units, down 8.4% year-on-year in a market that shrank 15%. Nissan’s market share climbed one percentage point to 14%. Nissan Serena was the best-selling minivan in country with 84,359 units sold.

In Europe, Nissan posted record sales of 695,703 units, up 25.4% year-on-year thanks to booming demand for itsQashqai and Juke crossovers. Its market share rose to a record 3.7%, up from 3.1% in 2010. In Russia, its top market in Europe, sales jumped by 73.1%, or nearly 60,000 units.

Zero-emission highlights

In October, Renault began sales of the Kangoo Z.E. small van, named International Van of the Year 2012. Corporate clients have so far ordered more than 15,000 Kangoo Z.E. for fleet use. In December, Renault began sale of the Fluence Z.E., an all-electric luxury car based on the conventional Fluence sedan.

In spring of 2012, Renault will launch the Twizy zero-emission urban commuter vehicle. In the second half of the year, Renault will launch the ZOE zero-emission subcompact.

Nissan sold more than 22,000 Nissan LEAF family hatchbacks in 2011, making it the best-selling electric vehicle ever. Nissan began selling the car in December 2010. In 2011, the Nissan LEAF won the "World Car of the Year", "Japan Car of the Year" and "European Car of the Year" awards.

More than 80% of Nissan LEAF owners in the United States had never previously owned a Nissan. Nissan is expanding LEAF availability to all 50 American states and more European countries in 2012.

The Alliance is the only automaker with a full family of zero-emission cars that can be charged with purely renewable energy. The Alliance plans to sell a cumulative 1.5m zero-emission cars by 2016 across all brands.

Added by: Luke Durkin 
New Media Editor