The arrival of the electric Scénic will have a happy consequence for the Megane: a reduction in its prices.
At the Munich Motor Show, one of the big new features was the Scénic. For its fifth generation, Renault has changed everything except the name. The Scénic now clearly leans towards the SUV side and, above all, it is 100% electric. To summarize this model, we had this formula: an electric Megane XL.
By taking the technical base or even the dashboard of the compact, this Scenic is similar to its family version. We could even say that it is the Megane without its faults: the Scenic also provides good roominess, a trunk and a long-range version (620 km).
Read also
IAA Munich 2023 – Renault Scénic E-Tech electric: finally great autonomy at Renault
It must definitely be more expensive. For the moment, Renault has said nothing about prices. During the presentation of the vehicle, the brand just told us that orders will be open by the end of the year. But Luca de Meo gave an interesting indication at the RTL microphone. Prices for the Scénic would start below those of the Megane, at least the current ones.
As a reminder, the compact starts at €38,000 with its small 40 kWh battery and €42,000 with its 60 kWh battery. A manager of the brand confirmed to our colleagues thatAutoActu that the base price of the Scenic will be under €40,000. However, this starts directly with the 60 kWh battery.
An aggressive positioning, but one that we suspected. Renault must in fact adapt to formidable competition and therefore not be too pretentious in the face of it. In addition, the entry ticket for the Scénic must be lowered so that the large battery version (87 kWh) enters the bonus zone, at least with its first finishes.
So are we going to have a Scenic cheaper than the Megane? Obviously not. Certainly, once the prices of the Scenic are known, Renault will change those of the compact, and therefore lower them. This is to maintain a logic of range with a price difference in relation to size. This is estimated at €3,000. This is also what exists at Tesla between a Model 3 Propulsion (€42,990) and a Model Y Propulsion (€46,990).
The Megane could thus start at around €35,000… which was its base price at its launch, before Renault skyrocketed its prices, due to the increase in the costs of raw materials, transport and energy. The situation on this point has also improved, which should encourage a reduction in prices. Moreover, Renault has started to reduce those of its hybrids.
Read also
Why Renault is lowering the price of its hybrids
He is slow to do so on the Megane, which required heavy investments for its technical part. Leaders have often repeated since the start of the year that there was no question of following the price war. But the price readjustment seems imperative to revive sales. After a good start, the Megane is clearly struggling due to two very annoying competitors: the MG4, with aggressive prices (from €29,990) and the Tesla Model 3, whose base price fell in 2023, until go down to €41,990. Or the same price as the 60 kWh Megane! As a result, from January to August, Losange registered 11,277 in France. The Model 3 did better (11,930) and the MG4 is no longer far behind (10,254)!
Renault first reacted by readjusting the rental offers, with an offer from €300 per month, which boosted sales slightly in the spring. But a drop in cash price will be important to attract the attention of the customer, who compares vehicles as well. Renault will be able to afford it without losing too much money by banking on an increase in production volumes, taking into account those of the Scénic, the two models sharing the same factory and numerous technical elements.
The Megane should also find some air against the MG4 thanks to the bonus. By being made in France, it will retain this aid, which could result in an entry ticket costing around €30,000. On the other hand, the MG, made in China, will be deprived of bonuses in 2024.
rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
