April 16, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] The chief of Renault Samsung Motors on Dec.1 called 2016 a “meaningful year” in which the automaker found a real niche market in the competitive local auto industry. 

“We created our own playground on the back of the successful launch of the SM6 and QM6,” Renault Samsung CEO Park Dong-hoon told reporters at a press event. 

“In terms of newly registered cars, our SM6 sedan beat out Hyundai Sonata for eight consecutive months. QM6 also enjoyed immense popularity in the sport utility vehicle segment, exceeding the (sales of) Hyundai Santa Fe.”

As of November this year, Renault Samsung sold 97,023 units, up 39 percent on-year. 

Renault Samsung Motors CEO Park Dong-hoon speaks at the SM3 event held in Seoul on Dec. 1. Renault Samsung Motors

Earlier in March, Park vowed that Renault Samsung -- the Korean unit of French automaker Renault -- would not be “playing in the playground built by the industry giant Hyundai Motor,” but instead go rogue to uncover niche sectors where customers are looking for something different. 

The efforts were paid off with the solid sales of SM6 -- a midsized sedan that’s a facelift version of the Renault Talisman -- and the large-sized SUV, QM6. 

Gilles Normand, chairman of Asia-Pacific region and senior vice president of the Renault Group, also praised Renault Samsung’s latest success. 

Gilles Normand, chairman of Asia-Pacific region and senior vice president of Renault Group, speaks at the special SM3 event held in Seoul on Dec. 1.

“SM6 made a sensation as a segment breaker, proving that the global product approach of the group covering not only Europe but other countries such as Korea can really work and be promising,” Normand said. 

“QM6, which was launched a few months ago, is being received well in the Korean market, as a different SUV with prominent style and performance. This car also has global potential as it is produced in our Busan plant to export to other markets.”

Normand added that as his responsibilities have been shifted, his job would be handed over to Francois Provost, former Renault Samsung CEO. 

“As you know better, Provost is the right person as the region’s chairman, given his achievements and passion, which will contribute to Renault Samsung’s growth,” he said. 

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)