French carmaker Renault says it can reduce the delay in bringing its latest cars to Russia from 18 months to three. So the Laguna 3 and other new models should be on sale in the country within the next few months.
St-Quentin-en-Yvelines is Renault's star dealership – they've sold over 50 elite Clio Sports since sales opened on September 6. Russia will get the car this March. The Laguna 3 went on sale in Western Europe in October but is yet to be launched in Russia, the world's fastest growing auto market. The company's Senior Vice President Yann Vincent claims they're tackling the problem. “It's a concern not only for Russian people but also inside Renault. We're aiming to reduce this time,” he said. Laguna Assembly Chief Philippe Germain spent four years in charge of engineering at Renault's Moscow plant Avtoframos. He knows perhaps better than anyone else at the company how many sales the company's losing in Russia. The Frenchman blames the lag on the suspension and anti-corrosion strengthening the Renault cars need for Russia. “I created the white book, the first technical definition for Renault in Russia: the bad conditions, roads, corrosion. We try to design the vehicle to fit as closely as possible for each market, but with new procedures, it's possible to go quicker,” he said. Progress is being made. Renault's new 4x4 Koleos will be launched in the West this summer and in Russia by the autumn.