Renault has recorded major sales successes in 2025, with the combined sales of its Renault, Dacia, and Alpine brands propelling it to the No. 2 spot in Europe.
Is that a big deal?
It is when you remember that at the end of 2020, thanks to Covid, Renault was staring an €8 billion loss in the face. The turnaround in just five years is remarkable.
Across Europe, Renault's passenger car sales - across all three brands - grew by 5.9 per cent, considerably ahead of the 2.3 per cent growth of the entire market.
In that growth, Renault saw considerable increases in hybrid car sales, with the Renault Symbioz Hybrid leading the charge, and helping the company to a 17 per cent climb in hybrid sales.
What about electric cars?
In that arena, Renault Group did even better with a 72 per cent rise in sales, led by the Renault 5 E-Tech, which all on its own accounts for 20 per cent of Renault's EV sales, and which is the second-best-selling EV in Europe when it comes to retail sales.
It was part of a Renault brand performance that saw its total sales grow by 7.4 per cent in Europe.
Any other best sellers in the list?
Oh yes - not for the first time, the Dacia Sandero was the best-selling car in Europe, while the Bigster became the best-selling family SUV where private retail customers are concerned. Both helped Dacia to total sales of 601,765 in Europe - a rise of 2.9 per cent compared to 2024, and taking Dacia past the 10 million cars made mark (since 2004).
Dacia's own hybrid sales also grew dramatically - by 121 per cent - mostly thanks to the Bigster and Duster, and they will be joined in short order in 2026 by a hybrid-engined Sandero.
What about Alpine?
Alpine also had a big 2025, with a 139 per cent increase in sales, taking the brand past the 10,000 annual sales mark for the first time. That's split between 2,800 petrol A110 sports cars and 8,200 A290 electric hot hatches, paving the way for a big 2026 for Alpine as it introduces the all-electric A390 crossover and shows off the all-electric A110 successor.
What's next?
Next up is the launch of the new electric Twingo, the arrival of the new Dacia hybrid models, plus the introduction of the new Golf-sized Dacia hatchback and estate, as well as the Romanian brand's own version of the Twingo.
"The Group's commercial results reflect the alignment between our value-oriented product plan, disciplined commercial policy and consistent strategy. This year, international performance complements our European growth and the complementarity of our brands and technologies is a strength enabling us to meet evolving needs of customers,” said Fabrice Cambolive, Chief Growth Officer of Renault Group. "Our two-legs powertrain strategy is now deployed across the Group: Renault is a best-in-class generalist brand in terms of CO2 emissions, with two-thirds of its sales electrified, while Dacia is accelerating in hybrid. The ability to combine strong commercial performance with electrification is driven by two true game changers: our hybrid technologies, simultaneously meeting customer needs and CO2 regulation targets and our 100 per cent EV platforms, which enhance product appeal and sales."