Renault Group has announced a new investment cycle in Brazil in the amount of R$ 500 million (€162 million) over the 2014-2019 period. This investment will be channeled into the development of two new cars at Renault’s plant in Curitiba.

“Since 2011, Brazil is the brand’s second largest market after France and it is a priority in the Group’s global growth strategy”, said Carlos Ghosn, Renault Group chairman and chief executive. Renault Brazil successfully completed its previous investment plan and is now pursuing the ambition of expanding its domestic market share.”

Renault has been producing in Brazil for 15 years. With a market share of 6.7 percent at end of March, Renault is reaffirming its position as the fifth largest carmaker in Brazil, according to the automaker. The Group is targeting an 8 percent market share in the country by 2016.

Thanks to its previous investment plan of R$ 1.5 billion (€485 million), Renault strengthened its growth strategy in Brazil based on three pillars:

• Production capacity increase from 280,000 to 380,000 annual units at the Curitiba Ayrton Senna industrial complex.

• Product range update with two brand-new models launched in 2013: Master and New Logan.

• Dealership network expansion with 100 new stores opened in the last three years, totaling 275 sales outlets.

Renault also has announced the implementation of a new national parts distribution center in the city of Quatro Barras – State of Paraná - with start of operations planned for the second half of 2015. This new distribution center represents an investment of R$ 240 million (€78 million) over the next 10 years and the creation of 250 jobs. Operations would include movement of 200 heavy-duty trucks on a monthly basis, according to the company.

In addition to meeting the needs of Renault dealerships nationwide, the new distribution center will also supply parts and components to Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Central America, South Africa and France, according to the automaker.