The development of the Renault vehicle line-up - including numerous niche LCV models to meet a wide cross-section of customer demands - is supported by a major relaunch of its small business team designed to help franchise dealers win business with local companies.

Following the launch of the all-new Laguna hatchback, Renault has kick-started 2008 with the showroom arrival of the Sport Tourer. The upper medium sector model choice will be expanded in the spring with the arrival of the performance flagship GT. This brings two new engines, a 2.0 turbo 205hp and a dCi 180, and a new Active Drive chassis with 4 wheel steer.

Renault launched Laguna with the promise that it would be among the top three vehicles for quality in its sector and it has backed that pledge with a standard three-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Keith Hawes, Renault’s Director of Fleet and Commercial Vehicle Operations, believes that it is the combination of the Laguna’s breadth of range coupled with a compelling set of total cost of ownership figures all backed by a first-class warranty that will encourage fleet decision-makers and user-chooser company car drivers to choose the marque.

He said: “We are anticipating strong demand for both our low emission diesel Laguna models starting at 130 g/km with the dCi 110 as well as significant interest in the Sport Tourer. Company car drivers are moving away from the traditional hatchback in pursuit of increased vehicle practicality and lower benefit-in-kind tax bills. Sport Tourer wins on both counts.”

Renault has also extended its three-year/100,000 mile warranty* to all Trafic and Master panel vans, base vehicles and Commercial Passenger Vehicles as the brand looks to further increase UK LCV sales.

Last year Renault sold around 21,500 LCVs in the UK and this year the focus falls on the October launch of the all-new Kangoo Van and the development of a wide range of niche models across Trafic and Master models

Nine and 16-seat passenger-carrying vehicles for use as crew cabs and taxis, along with a line-up of refrigerated units and further expansion of its range conversions for specialist operations are all in the pipeline.

Mr Hawes said: “Demand for vans from businesses in the construction sector, particularly with major projects such as the 2012 Olympics, is significant and courier companies continue to require more vehicles as internet shopping booms.

“The economic climate maybe harsh, but there are sectors of industry that are being hugely successful and they need vans. It is those sectors that we are looking at to increase business, particularly through more niche vehicle developments.”

Renault has enjoyed a reputation for building the UK’s safest vehicles and leads the market in terms of launching more cars that have notched five-star crash test ratings under the European New Car Assessment Programme than any other manufacturer.

With fleet managers focusing on safety from a duty of care perspective, Renault has underlined its pre-eminence with new Laguna achieving 36 points from a possible 37, one of the highest scores ever recorded in the tests.

Add in the fact that Laguna, Espace, Trafic and Master now all come with three-year/100,000 mile warranty* cover and Mr Hawes believes that the brand’s determination to be among the leaders in quality is achievable as Renault “puts its money where its mouth is” in terms of the fundamental requirements of durability and reliability.

“We are producing cars and vans that are durable, reliable and of high quality and we must now work on increasing the desirability of those vehicles to fleet operators and company drivers,” explained Mr Hawes, who also points to the wide range of tax-busting low emission vehicles across the Renault line-up highlighted by the fact that its ‘eco2’ appellation now adorns around 100 of the lowest emissions cars on the UK’s roads.

Crucial to that challenge is Renault’s decision to relaunch an expanded small business team, which will now spend more time with the dealer network helping exploit local business opportunities, and a move to increase its 45-strong Business Centre network.

“With more people supporting our franchise dealers and an ever-wider product range it is now more attractive than ever for our dealers to get to grips with fleet and business sales in their respective areas,” said Mr Hawes

“Businesses now have the broadest ever range of Renault vehicles to choose from and with the range of services our Business Centre dealers can offer, including high quality used vehicles through our Renault To Go programme, we can offer a complete one-stop shop.”

The new model introductions continue at a pace throughout this year with Renault expanding into the 4x4 sector for the first time with the Koleos and the introduction of Grand Modus, Clio Sport Tourer, Twingo Renaultsport, the stunning Laguna Coupé and topping off the year with the all-new Mégane.-Renault