All new 4th Generation VW Caddy launched today.

• Emissions and fuel consumption reduced by new introduction of EU6 engines
• New driver assistance systems improve safety
• Classic design refined with clear pronounced lines

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled the fourth-generation of its hugely popular Caddy. The third-generation model recorded more than 1.5 million sales around the world during its eleven-year production – a success that the latest generation Caddy urban delivery van, and its passenger carrying brother, intends to continue.

The Caddy’s drive systems use state-of-the-art technology, with new EU6 engines providing improved efficiency. The Caddy range is powered by new 2.0-litre, four cylinder diesel engines. The performance range includes: 55 kW / 75 PS, 75 kW / 102 PS, and the top-of-the-range engine a 110 kW / 150 PS. Recording the lowest fuel consumption is the Caddy Blue Motion panel van, specially developed for inner-city deliveries: 

“With its low fuel consumption of less than four litres per 100 kilometres (70+ mpg), the new Caddy sets a new standard,” explained Dr. Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The new Caddy range will also be available with quiet, refined 2.0-litre, four cylinder EU5 diesel engines: 55 kW / 75 PS, 75 kW / 102 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS.

In its fourth-generation, the Caddy shines in its class for having a high level of safety features.  

Numerous new safety and comfort features protect the occupants and support the driver. “To achieve this, we have incorporated a large number of driver assistance systems, which are unmatched in the urban delivery van segment”, said Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, Member of the Board for Technical Development of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

One of these is the ‘Front Assist’ surroundings monitoring system, including City Emergency Braking.  If the driver fails to see an obstacle below a speed of 30 km/h (19 mph), the system automatically applies the brakes, aiming to prevent any collisions. In the passenger carrying variant, Caddy Life, occupants are protected by the use of side and curtain airbags.

Approximately 22 per cent of all accidents involving injuries are collisions with more than one obstacle. In order to minimise the risk related to this scenario, the award-winning Multi-collision Brake System is included as standard in the new Caddy. After a collision, it automatically initiates braking if the driver is no longer able to take action.

Other options which are now available include the ‘Light Assist’ and ‘Driver Alert’ systems.

The latter recognises any deviations from normal driving behaviour and recommends to the driver when a break is necessary. Also available is the option of a heated windscreen, which helps to ensure a permanently good view, no matter the weather.

For the first time on Caddy, there is the option of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which is active at speeds of 0-160 km/h (0-100 mph) with DSG or 30 to 160 km/h (19-100 mph) with a manual transmission – and uses radar sensors to monitor the distance and relative speed to vehicles in front. When used in conjunction with DSG, the ACC system can also slow the vehicle down, for example in queues or traffic jam situations, to a complete stop.

In combination with the Composition Colour and Composition Media radios and with the Discover Media radio-navigation system, customers are able to order a reversing camera. The optional 'Park Assist' system enables automated parallel parking as well as parking at right-angles to the carriageway – an especially practical feature for courier services.

An evolution of a best-seller: the new Caddy's design impresses with sharper folds and clearly defined surfaces with stylish clarity. The re-designed front and the distinctively presented rear give the new compact van an unmistakable character – further distinguished by the new look of the front and rear lights. While remaining extremely functional, the high-quality urban delivery van has gained noticeably in presence.

In keeping with the expressive exterior, the vehicle's interior also features accentuated lines and shapes. Striking decorative trims with integrated air vents and a new generation of infotainment equipment underline the new Caddy's modern look.

The new Caddy will be launched in Germany at the end of June. UK vehicles will arrive later in the year.

UK specifications and pricing will be announced in due course.

Renault Group posts more gains for last year, with Dacia helping to increase sales.

In 2014, sales of private cars + light commercial vehicles (PC+LCV) by the Renault group increased by 3.2% with 2,712,432 vehicles registered in a global automotive market that rose by 3.5%.

In Europe, the Renault group's market share reached the 10% threshold, up by 0.6 points. With 1,464,611 vehicles sold, the Group's volumes rose 12.5%, which was double the market growth. Thanks to the strong performance of the Renault and Dacia brands, driven by the success of the Clio, Captur, Duster and Sandero, the Group was able to offset the slowdown in its sales on the international market.

Affected by the economic and financial crises on its main emerging markets, the Group held firm and posted record market share in Brazil (7.1%) and Russia (7.9%), its second and third largest markets. Nevertheless, in this difficult context, car registrations outside Europe dropped 5.9%.

In summary, in 2014:

• The Renault group's PC+LCV sales rose 3.2% to 2.7 million units;
• The Renault group gained market shares in nine of its ten main markets;
• In Europe, Group market share was 10%: The Renault brand gained 0.2 points of market share, while Dacia gained 0.4 points. In the LCV segment, Renault maintained its leadership for the 17^thsuccessive year, with a 14.2% market share;
• Internationally, the Group held firm and increased its market share in six of its seven largest markets, including Brazil (7.1%) and Russia (7.9%).

"In 2014, Renault sales rose 3.2% to 2.7 million units and accounted for 10% of market share in Europe. The Group has taken a new step forward in its medium-term plan, Renault Drive the Change," declared Jérôme Stoll, a member of the Executive Committee, Chief Performance Officer and Executive Vice-President Sales and Marketing.

EUROPE

In 2014, the Renault group recorded a 12.5% increase in new car registrations in a market that grew 5.9% and exceeded the 10% market share threshold (up 0.6 points). The Group increased its volumes and market share across nearly all markets. The most substantial growth was recorded in the United Kingdom (+41.9%), Portugal (+42.1%), Spain (+30.2%) and Italy (+28.9%).

- The Renault brand is the third largest on the PC+LCV market with 7.6% of market share (+0.2 points). Renault is the leader in France and has regained its position as the second brand in Spain. Thanks to the Clio and Captur, Renault succeeded in taking first place on the urban vehicle market (A and B segments). In the LCV segment, Renault maintained its lead for the 17^th successive year (with a 14.2% market share).

- For the second year running, the Dacia brand recorded the strongest increase in market share in Europe: +0.4 points at 2.5%. In France, Dacia, the fifth brand on the market, gained 0.5 points to 4.9% market penetration, mainly driven by the success of Duster and Sandero (the third best-selling vehicle for private customers). 

In Spain, thanks to Sandero, the top-selling vehicle for private individuals, Dacia increased its market share by 0.7 points to 4.7% of market share and 45,986 new car registrations. Dacia also posted record volumes and market share in nearly all European countries, such as in Italy (2.7% of market share and nearly 40,000 registrations) or in the United Kingdom where Dacia has already conquered nearly 1 point of market share after only two years on the market (23,862 new customers in 2014).

- In France, the Renault group gained 1.3 points of market share, at 26.6% and increased sales volumes by 5.5% compared with 2013. With over 105,000 registrations, Clio is the best-selling car on the French market, while Captur is the most popular crossover. The Group has five vehicles among the top 10 best-selling passenger cars. For the LCV segment, the brand dominates the market with 31.7% of market share and a 1.3% increase in new car registrations.

INTERNATIONAL

Against a backdrop of downturn in its main emerging markets, Renault held its own, gaining market share in Russia, Brazil, Turkey and Algeria. Nevertheless, Group new car registrations dropped 5.9% outside Europe to 1,247,821 units. They represent 46% of the Group's total registrations, against 50% in 2013.

Eurasia Region⁽¹⁾

In 2014, the Renault Group's market share rose by 0.7 points to 10.3%. Thanks to its sales in Russia and Turkey, the Group outperformed the market with a 5.4% drop in registrations, in a market that slumped by 11.5%.

- In Russia, its third largest market, Renault, driven by the success of the Duster (once again the leading SUV on the market in 2014) and the successful launch of the New Logan and New Sandero, posted a record market share of 7.9% (+0.3 points) in a gloomy economic and monetary context.

- Renault also continued its expansion in the CIS with volumes up 42.5% and a significant increase in market share at 5.9% (+1.7 points).

- In Turkey, the market dropped 10%, however the Group gained 0.4 points of market share

(17.4%). Renault is the country's second largest brand.

- In Romania, Dacia, the national manufacturer, continues to be the market leader. Overall, the Renault group has a total of 38.6% of market share in the country, with sales up by 21.3%.

Americas region

With 416,934 new car registrations, the Group lost 10.7% in volume, in a sluggish market that dropped by 7.5%, mainly due to the economic situation in Argentina. The Renault group achieved a market share of 6.4% (down 0.2 points), thanks to its success in Brazil.

- Brazil continued to be the Group's second largest market. Despite a 7% drop in MTM, Renault registered 237,187 new units (+0.3%). The brand's market share thus reached a record high at 7.1% (+0.5 points).

- In Argentina, in a difficult local economic context, Renault chose to limit its exposure to the peso and consequently the quantity of its imports. This affected registrations, which fell 39.8% compared with 2013, as well as market share, which slipped 2.5 points to 12.9%.

- In Colombia, Renault is the second largest brand on the market and posted record sales with 50,362 units (+13.5%) and a market share of 16.6% (+0.5 points).

Africa, Middle East and India Region⁽²⁾ 

With 308,012 new car registrations, the Group's volumes dropped 9.2% in 2014 in the region and its market share stood at 3.8% (-0.7 points). Some of the Group's key markets, such as North Africa (-13.2%) and India (-0.8%) declined.

- the Group asserted itself as the leader in the Algerian market with 26.9% of market share, up 0.7 points, in a market that dropped by 19.8%. This performance placed the Renault and Dacia brands in first and third position. The Renault plant in Oran, inaugurated in November 2014, will reinforce Renault's position as a key player on the Algerian automotive market.

- In Morocco where the market is stable (up 1.1%), the Group is the market leader with a 37% market share. Once again, its brands Dacia and Renault topped sales with 45,174 vehicles sold.

- In India, Renault remained the leading European brand with a 1.5% market share and 44,849 new registrations, despite a trough in its product cycle.

Asia-Pacific region

With 133,172 units, the Group's volumes took off, rising 23% in a market that rose 4.6%. Renault Samsung Motors' Revival Plan in Korea drives growth.

- In Korea, in a private car market that rose 9%, Renault Samsung Motors recorded a further sharp increase in volumes (+33.3%) and market share (+1 point to 5.7%) notably due to the confirmed success of the QM3, which has sold nearly 20,000 units since it was put on the market in late 2013. 

- In China, the Group recorded a total of 34,067 new registrations. A year after the creation of Dongfeng Renault Automotive Company (DRAC), its joint venture with Dongfeng, Renault is gearing up for the successful launch of its first locally manufactured vehicles in 2016.

2015 sales outlook for the Renault group

In 2015, the global market is expected to record modest growth of 2% compared with 2014. The European market is also expected to grow by 1 to 2%, with France remaining stable.

“In 2015, in a market context that remains uncertain, we will continue to move ahead with our Medium-Term Plan, Renault Drive the Change. We are forecasting an increase in our global volumes, the strengthening of our position in Europe and improvements in our positions on our main emerging markets. Our growth will be sustained by an accelerated product plan, with five new models" declared Jérôme Stoll, Executive Committee Member, Chief Performance Officer and Executive Vice-President Sales and Marketing.

Group sales by region PC+LCV

	At end December 2014	At end December 2013	% var
France	577,601	547,694	5.5
Europe* (excluding France)	887,010	754,202	17.6
France + Europe Total	1,464,611	1,301,896	12.5
Eurasia	389,703	411,870	-5.4
Americas	416,934	466,891	-10.7
Africa, Middle East and India	308,012	339,289	-9.2
Asia Pacific	133,172	108,237	23.0
Total Excl France + Europe	1,247,821	1,326,287	-5.9
World	2,712,432	2,628,183	3.2

* Europe = EU (28 countries - Bulgaria & Romania) + Balkans (5 countries) + Iceland, Norway and Switzerland

December YTD

	At end December 2014	At end December 2013	% var
RENAULT
PC	1,811,343	1,837,737	-1.4
LCV	307,501	293,753	4.7
PC+LCV	2,118,844	2,131,490	-0.6
DACIA
PC	474,624	399,605	18.8
LCV	36,841	29,991	22.8
PC+LCV	511,465	429,596	19.1
RENAULT SAMSUNG MOTORS
PC	82,123	67,097	22.4
RENAULT GROUP
PC	2,368,090	2,304,439	2.8
LCV	344,342	323,744	6.4
PC+LCV	2,712,432	2,628,183	3.2

The Group's main markets at end December 2014

	Country	Sales PC + LCV	Market share		Country	Sales PC + LCV	Market share
1	FRANCE	577,601	26.6%	9	ALGERIA	91,800	26.9%
2	BRAZIL	237,187	7.1%	10	ARGENTINA	84,946	12.9%
3	RUSSIA	194,531	7.9%	11	SOUTH KOREA	80,003	4.9%
4	GERMANY	173,479	5.3%	12	BELGIUM + LUXEMBOURG	77,303	13.0%
5	TURKEY	133,212	17.4%	13	COLOMBIA	50,362	16.6%
6	ITALY	130,996	8.9%	14	MOROCCO	45,174	37.0%
7	SPAIN	127,666	13.2%	15	INDIA	44,849	1.5%
8	UNITED KINGDOM	109,014	3.9%

The Group's 5 best PC sales at end December 2014
1	Duster (Renault+Dacia)	395,350	234,883 Renault	160,467 Dacia
2	Renault Clio IV	378,526
3	New Logan (Renault+Dacia)	234,766	137,357 Renault	97,409 Dacia
4	New Sandero (Renault+Dacia)	227,036	58,927 Renault	168,109 Dacia
5	Captur (Renault+RSM)	196,592	178,401 Renault	18,191 RSM