Renault announces significant gains in annual sales, revenues and profits.

• New registrations up 3.2% to 2.7 million units
• Group revenues: €41,055 million (+0.3%). Excluding foreign exchange rate effect, +3.1%
• Group operating profit: €1,609 million, or 3.9% of revenues, compared to €1,242 million and 3.0% in 2013
• Automotive operating profit: €858 million, compared to €495 million in 2013 (2.2% vs 1.3%)
• Group operating income: €1,105 million versus minus €34 million
• Net income: €1,998 million versus €695 million in 2013
• Positive Automotive operational free cash flow: €1,083 million

“We met all the objectives announced for 2014. This milestone positions us on track to achieve our strategic plan, ‘Renault Drive the Change’. 2015 should allow us to take a new step forward, thanks to an unprecedented product offensive in the history of Renault,” said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Renault.

In 2014, Group revenues came to €41,055 million, an increase of 0.3% compared to 2013. At constant exchange rates, revenues grew by 3.1%.

The contribution of the Automotive division to revenues amounted to €38,874 million, up 0.3% vs 2013. The Group offset negative currency variations by increasing prices outside Europe and by the strong growth of sales to partners.

The Group's operating profit reached €1,609 million, compared to €1,242 million in 2013 (3.9% of revenues vs 3.0% in 2013).

The Automotive operating profit rose by €363 million to €858 million, representing 2.2% of revenues. This performance results from cost reductions and from growth in sales while unfavorable foreign exchange rates and the enrichment of some end-of-life models impacted negatively.

Sales Financing contributed to €751 million to Group operating profit compared to €747 million in 2013. The drop in net banking income was offset by an increase in average loans outstanding and by growth in services. The cost of risk remained stable at 0.43%.

Other operating income and expense items were negative by €504 million, mostly due to restructuring costs of €305 million and the impairment of assets for €153 million.

Group operating income came to €1,105 million compared to -€34 million in 2013. This improvement results from the increase in operating profit and the reduction in other operating expenses of €772 million.

The contribution of associated companies, mainly Nissan, was €1,362 million, compared to €1,444 million in 2013, including the negative contribution of AVTOVAZ for -€182 million.

Net income came to €1,998 million and net income, Group share, to €1,890 million (€6.92 per share compared to €2.15 per share in 2013).

Automotive operational free cash flow was positive at €1,083 million, due to the increase in profitability, as well as a positive change of €596 million in the working capital requirement over the period.

A dividend of €1.90 per share, vs €1.72 last year, will be submitted for approval at the next Shareholders’ Annual General Meeting.

2015 OUTLOOK

In spite of the uncertainties surrounding numerous economies, global car demand should continue to grow this year (+2 %). The European market should also show a slight positive growth (+2 %) while we continue to expect high volatility in our main emerging markets:

In this context, Renault Group aims to:

• increase further its registrations and revenues (at constant exchange rates),
• continue to improve the Group’s operating margin and that of the Automotive division,
• generate positive Automotive operational free cash flow.

Renault consolidated Results

€ million	2014	2013	Change
Group revenues	41,055	40,932	+0.3 %
Operating profit % of revenues	1,609 3.9 %	1,242 3.0 %	+367 +0.9pts
Other operating income and expenses items	-504	-1,276	+772
Operating income	1,105	-34	+1,139
Net financial income	-333	-282	-51
Contribution from associated companies	1,362	1,444	-82
o/w : NISSAN	1,559	1,498	+61
AVTOVAZ	-182	-34	-148
Current and deferred taxes	-136	-433	+297
Net income	1,998	695	+1,303
Net income, Group share	1,890	586	+1,304
Automotive operational free cash flow	1,083	827	+256

Introduction of new value-laden Note n-tec trim, giving better value for money on Nissan's Mini MPV

• Introduction of new value-laden Note n-tec trim costing £15,365 OTR
• Engineered for active, modern families with advanced safety features included as standard
• Updated exterior styling plus additional Safety Shield technologies and Rear View Camera
• Acenta Premium now features New NissanConnect with DAB radio as standard

Following on from the launch of the n-tec trim on X-Trail, Qashqai and Pulsar, Nissan has now introduced the popular trim to the British-built Note model range.

The new Note n-tec sits between the range-topping Tekna and mid-grade Acenta Premium featuring a number of technology, safety and design upgrades while still delivering maximum customer value for the £15,365 OTR price.

Starting on the outside, the Note n-tec is an attractive compact family car thanks to an enhanced styling package including new 16-inch alloy wheels, satin silver door handles and wing mirror covers plus the choice of eight paint colours – including a new metallic Ink Blue finish exclusive to n-tec.

Upgraded styling extends to the black bezel headlamps, aerodynamic front bumper, carbon-look rear bumper, unique blue stitch on the leather steering wheel and rear privacy glass. The Note n-tec is available with a six-speed manual 1.2-litre 80PS petrol engine that emits 109g/km with a combined fuel consumption figure of 60.1mpg.

Moving inside, Nissan has enhanced the Note’s value proposition further by including New NissanConnect – featuring 5.8” touchscreen satellite navigation – DAB radio and a Rear View Camera. Previously only available on Tekna and now standard on n-tec is Nissan’s award-winning Safety Shield suite of technologies including Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection and Lane Departure Warning.

The Note range enhancements extend to the mid-grade Acenta Premium too, where it benefits from the addition of the New NissanConnect system with DAB radio and Bluetooth handsfree with audio streaming.

Prices for Note Acenta Premium trim start from £14,465 OTR with a choice of one diesel engine and three petrol engines. The new Note n-tec and updated Acenta Premium trims are available from all participating Nissan franchised dealers nationwide.

JANUARY UK SALES - NISSAN - fastest growing brand by market share, mmm, iffy !

• Fastest growing brand by market share compared with the same time last year
• Nissan car registrations reach over 11,000 for first month of the year – the best ever January in the company’s history
• UK-built stars – Qashqai, Juke, Note, and LEAF – reach highest ever January volume
• Company soars to fourth place in the UK’s top-selling brands
• January share of the passenger car market hits record high of 6.72%

Nissan Motor GB Limited has recorded its best ever start to a year with 11,076 cars sold in January – an increase of 25.9% or 2,277 registrations over the same period last year.

The company also stormed to its highest ever share of the January passenger car market at 6.72%, with the award-winning all-new Qashqai continuing its segment domination with over 4,500 sales.

Also at the heart of this sales success was Nissan’s other UK-built stars – the 100% electric LEAF, the Note, and the Juke – which all soared to their highest ever January registrations.

Nissan bolstered its position as the fastest growing brand in the UK with a total market share increase of 1%. This increased share of the car market puts the company at fourth position in the UK.

Helping to drive sales was Nissan’s diverse range of crossovers including the Qashqai, Juke and all-new X-TRAIL. Nissan continued to dominate this fast-growing category registering almost 8,000 units a 32% increase over the same period last year.

This powerful start to the year continues on from the company’s record-breaking 2014, during which 138,338 cars were sold – a 17% increase over 2013’s full year sales.