Renault Korea adds features, cuts prices to end sales slump

Renault Korea Motors is aiming to end its long sales slump using its vehicles with upgraded features and lower price tags.

Renault Korea Motors CEO Stephane Deblaise speaks during a press conference in central Seoul on Thursday. [RENAULT KOREA MOTORS]

Renault Korea Motors is aiming to end its long sales slump using its vehicles with upgraded features and lower price tags.

The automaker said Thursday it will introduce an updated R: Xperience program in September, which offers a series of enhanced lineups that will be offered with discounts of up to 2 million won ($1,500) to maximize customer satisfaction.

The XM3 will be upgraded with the latest features like a 360-degree monitor and micro dust filter. An XM3 1.6 GTe Inspire model will be newly launched at 26.8 million won.

The QM6 LE, which comes with an LPG engine, will be sold at 28.4 million won, down 910,000 won from the initial price. The price of the QM6 RE will be cut by 1.95 million won to 31.7 million won.

Renault Korea Motors CEO Stephane Deblaise poses with an XM3 at a press conference in central Seoul on Thursday. [RENAULT KOREA MOTORS]

The van-type QM6 Quest will be sold at 24.95 million won, down by 1.85 million won.

An LED Door Spot Lamp will be added to all Renault models, which helps illuminate the surroundings for passengers' safe exit and entry.

Renault also upgraded its app to allow drivers to check the condition and location of their vehicles. The service will be available on smart watches as well.

Its in-car payment service has been strengthened so that people can order and pay for products like food in their car before they pick up them.

"Renault came up with the service to increase the value for our customers in all the points we meet including product, connectivity and service," said Renault Korea Motors CEO Stéphane Deblaise during a press event Thursday.

The strengthened program comes amid the carmaker's shrinking sales in Korea and growing public criticism for it not releasing new models in the domestic market. Renault is the only manufacturer that hasn't introduced a new car in Korea this year.

Renault sold 13,975 vehicles in Korea this year through the end of July, down 54.2 percent on year compared to the same period.

It sells three models in Korea — SM6, QM6 and XM6 — but the first two models have not been fully revamped since their first introduction in 2016.

When asked about Renault's plans of building an EV-dedicated facility in its Busan plant, Deblaise said "No details have been decided."

Guido Haak, executive vice president of the Renault Group, had announced that Renault will make an EV facility in Busan with a capacity of 200,000 units during his meeting with Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon in France in June.

Neither the date nor the investment size have been announced.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]