Release on the 9th of next month, Pre-orders start today
Renault Samsung Motors' Mission to Overcome the Worst Situation
[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Renault Samsung Motors has started pre-orders for its life-or-death compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) 'XM3' from the 21st. Renault Samsung Motors is currently facing serious production setbacks due to the recent spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and ongoing strikes since last year. In this situation, attention is focused on whether the XM3 will establish itself as the savior of Renault Samsung Motors, which is in crisis.
Renault Samsung Motors announced that it will begin accepting pre-orders from this day ahead of the launch of the compact SUV 'XM3' on the 9th of next month. The XM3 is the first new model released by Renault Samsung Motors in about three and a half years and is a model on which the company's lifeline depends. Last month, Renault Samsung Motors sold 4,303 units in the domestic market, a 16.8% decrease compared to the same period last year. Among these, the QM6 accounted for 3,540 units, making up 82.26% of total sales. To reduce dependence on the QM6 and secure stable profits, the success of the XM3, the first new model in four years, is urgently needed.
The significance of the XM3 is also special in exports. Renault Samsung Motors is facing the expiration of the consignment production contract for the Nissan Rogue next month. Last month, export volume totaled 1,930 units, a 77.4% decrease from 6,985 units in the same period last year. Among the 1,930 units, 1,230 were Rogues, so once the consignment production contract expires, export volume will drop to zero. Renault Samsung Motors plans to secure consignment production volume for the European export of the XM3 to fill the gap left by the Nissan Rogue, but the prerequisite condition for this, the 2019 wage negotiations, have not been concluded. The labor and management held intensive negotiations from the 4th to the 7th but failed to reach any conclusion, and after another negotiation on the 19th, they parted ways after only confirming each other's conditions.
Renault Samsung Motors introduces the XM3 as the first 'premium design SUV' from a domestic brand. The strategy emphasizes styling that perfectly combines the appeal of SUVs and sedans, aiming to lead a new market that has never existed before.
The front look of the XM3 clearly shows Renault Samsung Motors' identity. The C-shaped LED daytime running lights demonstrate the unique design concept of Renault Samsung Motors. The body, with a length of 4,570mm, a wheelbase of 2,720mm, and a ground clearance of 186mm, is the largest in its class. The trunk capacity of 513 liters is also the largest in its class. The XM3 offers two lineups: the turbo direct injection gasoline engine TCe260 (equipped with Getrag 7-speed wet EDC) jointly developed by Renault and Daimler, and the 1.6GTe engine (equipped with Xtronic continuously variable transmission).
Safety and convenience features have been significantly enhanced, with electronic parking brake, paddle shifters, one-touch safety power windows for all seats, and LED Pure Vision headlamps applied as standard across all trims. The top RE Signature trim comes standard with EASY CONNECT 9.3" navigation, a 10.25-inch map-in cluster, and auto hold.
The XM3 body colors include seven options: Solid White, Cloud Pearl, Metallic Black, Urban Grey, Meissen Blue, Sand Grey, and Highland Silver. Prices range from 17.95 million to 22.7 million KRW for the 1.6GTe, and from 21.75 million to 26.95 million KRW for the TCe260.
Kim Tae-jun, Head of Sales at Renault Samsung Motors, said, "As SUVs have already become the mainstream in the global automobile market, customer demand for new types of SUVs is increasing. The XM3, the first premium design SUV from a domestic brand, will play the role of a 'game changer' by creating a 'market that has never existed before,' beyond the existing SUV framework."
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