Repsol and Renault - new chapter

Success, of course! More specifically, it's about boosting sales of autogas-powered Renaults and Dacias, as well as creating more demand for LPG as motor fuel as a consequence. At the moment there are only approx. 28 thousand autogas-powered cars on the roads of Spain, so any initiative aimed at making the fuel more popular is a step in the right direction. This particular step is made in the even righter direction since this is not Repsol's first.

© RepsolFrançois Dominique Grandjeat (Renault Group) and José Manuel Hernández-Carrero (Repsol) signed an agreement to jointly support and develop the Spanish autogas market

Going further into detail, the cooperation has been outlined as follows: Renault and Dacia will invest money into marketing their LPG models to make them more visible to prospective buyers and together with Repsol the French/Romanian automaker will work to develop autogas system technology. The Spanish company in turn will support the Renault Group's LPG car marketing efforts and will further develop their refueling network from today's 261 facilities to 400 in 2015.

The price of autogas in Spain is attractive enough to ensure 40% fuel cost savings to those who decide to ditch petrol in favour of the cheaper fuel. And it's greener, too, which is reflected in the PIVE and PIMA Air government incentive schemes. Autogas is appreciated due to its cleaner burning process, resulting in reduced emissions of particulates, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide.

Are ventures such as the one undertaken by Repsol and the Renault Group worthwhile? Given that LPG consumption in the first quarter of 2014 rose by 23% (on a year-to-year basis), we would have to say yes. The market's untapped potential is huge – with 28 thousand cars on the roads there is much demand to harness. Since Renault and Dacia together have as many as eight autogas-powered models on their offers (the Clio plus virtually all of the Romanian brand's cars), they can soon become a considerable force in the new LPG car segment. And who will Repsol cooperate with next? There are a pew possibilities left...

This agreement strengthens Repsol's commitment to fostering Autogas in the Spanish market, where there is a similar growth to that registered previously in other European markets, due to its environmental and economic benefit.

José Manuel Hernández-Carrero, Repsol

The Renault Group is committed to sustainable mobility accessible to everyone and in this sense, not only does LPG fuel contribute to reducing emissions, but it is also an alternative with a high development potential in the Spanish market.

François Dominique Grandjeat, Renault Group