Renault Nissan Alliance reports sales of 6.1 million units in 2009

In a global market that contracted 4.5 percent, the Renault Nissan Alliance, including for the first time the sales of the AvtoVaz Lada brand, captured 9.8 percent* of the global market in 2009. In 2008, the Alliance without Lada had a share of 9.4%.

Renault and Nissan sold 2,309,188 and 3,358,413 vehicles respectively. Sales of Lada accounted for 417,457 units. Renault's worldwide sales decreased by 3.1% and Nissan's by 9.4%.

Renault highlights
The Renault Group's market share increased to 3.7% in spite of declining sales (-3.1%). Of the Group's 15 biggest markets, 11 reported a market share increase.

In Western Europe, Renault reclaimed the position of third-ranked brand, mainly owing to the success of the Mégane family and Twingo. In the LCV market, the Group's market share rose 1.2 points to 15.6%. The Renault LCV brand maintained its No. 1 position. Dacia sales rose 91% and reached 1.3% of the European market.

In France, Renault group sales increased by 7.3% to 701,998 units. Renault remains France’s best selling brand with a 23,5% market share (PC+LCV) and in 2009, Dacia became one of the top ten best-selling brands in that market with 2.5% of market share (PC+LCV).

Renault Samsung Motors increased its market share by 0.8 percentage points to 9.3% and by 31% in terms of volume, making South Korea the Group's third-largest market with 133,630 units sold.

Renault Group's sales volume outside Europe stood at 34% of total sales.

* Total PC+LCV market sales based on Renault estimates: 62,208,320 units

Nissan Highlights
Nissan closed the year with a total sales of 3,358,413 units, down 9.4% compared to previous year. Nissan's global market share was 5.4%.

In the United States, Nissan and Infiniti sales totaled 770,103 vehicles, resulting in a record market share of 7.4%. In 2009, Rogue set a record of 77,222 sales, a 5.7% increase over last year. Sales of Maxima and the 370Z sports car saw increases of 13.3% and 26.9% respectively compared with 2008.

In China, now Nissan's second-largest global market, the company's passenger car sales increased 38.7% to 755,518 units. Sales were led by the Teana flagship model, which saw a significant increase in demand of 149.2% to 108,504 units. The Sylphy model also saw large gains (81.4%) to 96,174 units.

In Japan, Nissan sold 599,396 vehicles, down 11.6% compared to 2008. The Serena minivan maintained its position as the minivan segment leader for three years in a row with sales of 78,836 units.

In Europe Nissan sold 498,027 units representing a 17.2% decrease over 2008. The compact crossover Qashqai remained Nissan's most popular model in Europe with 202, 823 units sold. The UK was Nissan's biggest market with 84,441 units sold. Germany saw gains of 32% to 64,092 units.

In other markets, sales were 498,863 units, a 21.5% decline.

* The classification of each region in this annoucement is based on that of Renault.

* Lada sales have been consolidated in the Alliance figures for 2009 as it represents the first full year of sales since the acquisition of the AvtoVaz stake by Renault in February 2008