The challenge is to continue to satisfy the customer, keeping in mind trade-offs between the size of the car and the functionality and roominess inside. A few years ago, functionality was driving the whole car purchase, but now buyers are willing to make trade-offs. If you think about the Captur, for example, it is a something of a successor to the Modus [small minivan]. Modus customers were very happy, and the price was low — that’s good for customers but not so good for our profits.
The minicar segment is also declining. What is the future there?
You are not putting industrial logic first?
No, our starting point is the customer. I’m an engineer, but I try to forget that I’m an engineer.
Dacia has been a success story for Renault, but it does not offer electrified vehicles. How are you adapting Dacia to changing emissions standards?
Dacia sales are built into the Renault Group’s emissions plans. Dacia’s “proven technology” approach means that we will use amortized technological features from the Renault brand. Renault will become more and more technology-driven, as in what we are showing on the [hybrid] Clio and [plug-in hybrid] Captur, autonomous driving features and connectivity.
Tags: Renault Exec
