Mohamed Bennani: “We have a real project to help equip Morocco with charging stations”

The Renault brand in Morocco is currently in the news. In addition to the good commercial momentum, the company is investing in the fully electric segment with the Mégane E-Tech. The opportunity for Mohamed Bennani, General Manager of the Renault brand in Morocco, to give us, through this interview, his feelings on the brand’s performance and his expectations regarding the marketing of the Mégane E-Tech.

Challenge: What assessment do you make so far of the performance of the Renault brand at the end of the first quarter of 2024?

Mohammed Bennani: We have just completed an excellent first quarter for the Renault brand in Morocco. Certainly, we suffered from a shortage of stock, especially last January with regard to the Clio, but ultimately we have a good market share at 16.5%. Furthermore, all our models are performing well, be it our passenger car range, but also that of light commercial vehicles for which we lead the segment with a market share of almost 29%, and we will maintain this positive momentum in the coming months. come.

Challenge: In addition to petrol and especially diesel, which is still very popular with customers, Renault’s engine range in the Kingdom has been expanded with the arrival of hybrids and, more recently, electric engines. How do you see the evolution of this engine range among customers?

MB: In reality, our goal is to have the best of both worlds. It is clear that we have thermal vehicles, in accordance with the ‘international game plan 2027’ recently unveiled by the Renault brand, which will allow us to continue to bring the same thermal vehicles to the market. This will also be the case in the last quarter of 2024 with the Renault Kardian, an urban SUV with a global vocation currently being assembled at SOMACA in Casablanca. At the same time, we begin our quest for fully electric technology with the marketing of the Mégane E-Tech.

Also read | Morocco. Car sales increased in April

Challenge: exactly, what are the chances that this Mégane E-Tech Morocco will penetrate a fully electric segment that is still in its infancy?

MB: The electricity market in Morocco is indeed weak, at about 1% of turnover. Still, it is a segment that is starting to grow and it will grow naturally in Morocco, knowing that many global manufacturers have invested in it. In any case, the best way to penetrate this market is to bring back a car that has already proven itself in Europe, in this case the Mégane E-Tech, especially because it rides the wave of success. I remain convinced that this vehicle is a good product that will allow us to attack the all-electric segment in Morocco, in particular the C segment which remains the most electrified segment in the Kingdom at 78%.

Also read | Renault Mégane electric. Available early May in Morocco

Challenge: The Mégane E-Tech has been on sale in Europe since last year. You won’t be launching it in Morocco until very soon. Why this time?

MB: Of course it took a while before we launched the Mégane E-Tech, but honestly I think this is the right time. We have therefore taken the opportunity to prepare ourselves well for the arrival of this new model. We had more time to work on sales training, but also on service quality, which overall remains one of our priorities. I should also point out that our range of thermal and electric vehicles in Morocco will continue to expand over time.

Challenge: From your professional perspective, what lever should be activated so that the electric mobility segment can develop in Morocco?

MB: It’s a series of things. Naturally, the network of charging stations in the Kingdom must continue to develop and structure. Precisely in connection with this network, we have a real project to help equip the Kingdom with electric charging stations, both on the road and highway network, but also in cities through our dealers, some of which are already equipped with them. Information and explanation about electrical engineering is also important for customers. In addition, through the Renault branch network, we offer a rental offer called “Easy Lease”, which allows customers, for example, to rent an electric Mégane and return it after 48 months, allowing them to discover the benefits of electric technology without any restrictions.

Likewise, customers who have taken out a car financing or rental contract with Mobilize Financial Services Maroc benefit from the “Switch Car” service. Enough to have for longer distances, or to take advantage of a car from a higher category, and why not a Mégane E-Tech, while you discover the car a little more. Finally, please note that regarding charging, which remains a real concern for customers, we offer them an additional charging battery.