Renault Trucks is widening its van lineup, adding the mid‑size Trafic and preparing to launch the Flexis trio before year‑end, a shift that follows a decade‑long ambition to grow beyond the flagship Master model.
New Models Complement an Expanding Order Book
According to the head of light‑commercial vehicles for the UK and Ireland, Grahame Neagus, the firm has already placed roughly 5,000 orders for its vans, a figure that dwarfs the early target of about 2,000 units set in 2018. The mix remains dominated by the Master, which accounts for roughly 83% of the volume.
Neagus told reporters at the Road Transport Expo that the company aims to sell ten times the number of vans it moved in 2016, when 864 units left the factory. “Both customers and dealers were asking about the Trafic but it wasn’t in our portfolio because we didn’t have the capacity or the dedicated staff,” he said, adding that a new strategy and dealer investments have now made expansion possible.
Dealer Facilities Drive Service Improvements
Investments in dedicated van facilities have freed up truck workshops, allowing higher utilisation and reduced downtime for van operators. The firm claims it is the only large‑scale truck maker offering nighttime servicing for smaller vans, a capability that could attract many small‑to‑medium enterprises.
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“No one else does this for smaller vans,” Neagus said, noting that the Flexis models will start at about 2.6 tonnes, lower than the Trafic, and will benefit from the same truck‑level service standards.
The dealer network now includes fully equipped workshops with red‑badge identification badges, red‑ringed gear sticks, and other truck‑inspired touches that differentiate the vans from their yellow‑badge siblings.
Electrification Gains Momentum
Electrified vans are gaining a foothold, with 24.6% of registrations being fully electric. Neagus highlighted the Master E‑Tech, noting a single‑charge range of 270 miles and a payload that meets total‑cost‑of‑ownership expectations.
He said, “We were the first to have an electric truck, so our customers are already engaged with it and want it… We can now offer customers electric product from a 32‑tonne truck to a van!” The electric push aligns with the firm’s broader commitment to offer sustainable options across its vehicle range.
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While the company’s rapid growth mirrors earlier attempts by other truck manufacturers to enter the van market, those ventures often stalled due to limited dealer support and lack of dedicated service infrastructure. The current approach, emphasizing dedicated facilities and a seamless service experience, appears to address those historic shortcomings and could set a new benchmark for truck‑to‑van transitions.
Conversions remain a core part of the business, with more than 96% of sold vans delivered as factory‑approved builds, and 72% configured as chassis or platform cabs with added bodies. This conversion focus reflects the firm’s truck‑specialist heritage, extending into the van segment.
Telematics and financing options have also been expanded, with contract‑hire partner Vertellus moving into the van space, offering data‑rich services that were previously limited to heavier trucks.
