Renault Samsung Stays
in the Black for 4th Straight Year

Posts the biggest sales volume last year

Renault Samsung Motors sold 119,035 units during 2005, representing a year-on-year 39.9 percent surge, the biggest number since its founding. The number of units put on the domestic market stood at 115, 425 units, taking a 12.6 percent market share to establish itself as the third largest automaker in Korea.
Renault Samsung posted 2.18 trillion won in sales in a four-year streak in the black since 2002.
The accomplishment is from Renault Samsung's continuous efforts to ensure customer satisfaction in categories like products, quality and service, analysts say.
Celebrating the fifth year since its inauguration, the young automaker has achieved a feat despite the tough competitive domestic market ― its jump as the third largest automaker in Korea and turning a profit for the fourth straight year ― an indication that the automaker has secured a solid foundation in the local market, but also shown future growth potential.
Renault Samsung aims to sell 150,000 units on the domestic and overseas markets during 2006, a 26 percent jump over the previous year. Analysts forecast that the 2006 target could be challengeable, yet attainable, given a balanced selling growth of the SM series, achieved during 2005, and reliable relationship with customers being built up through companywide quality management.
The year 2006 will be the first year of making an export drive with the goal of becoming a global corporation through continuous export expansion.
Renault Samsung sets its sights on exporting 30,000 SM3 to such countries as Central and South America, the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine under the brand of Nissan.
3 CORE NEW CAR PROJECTS. Renault Samsung plans to stay on the growth path during the year.
Renault Chairman Carlos Ghosn February 9 unveiled the "middle-term plan (between 2006 and 2009) for Renault Group,"calling for Renault Samsung to play key roles under the alliance. In particular, capitalizing on quality and other excellent competitive edge, Renault Samsung plans to undertake take three core new car projects for the Renault Group under the Renault-Nissan alliance, while at the same time expanding exports dramatically in a bid to grow into a world-class corporation.
To this end, the Renault Group plans to transfer part of its engineering activities to Korea, a move designed to help Renault Samsung leapfrog in the R&D division.

BOOSTING BRAND VALUE AND PREMIUM IMAGE ― On January 25 of last year, Renault Samsung released the New SM5 to provide the best standards in the medium-size market with souped-up performance, mileage and durability.
Last August, the automaker unveiled the SM3 New Generation tailored to meet the tastes of younger generation with dynamic and futuristic design.
The sedan saw its sales soar an average of more than 60 percent per month since its debut, meeting the needs of clients.
Renault Samsung demonstrated prowess in efficiency, quality and international competitive edge during 2005, furthering its solid foundation in the Renault-Nissan alliance.
Renault Chairman Carlos Ghosn visited Korea last November and announced a plan to export 30,000 SM3s to foreign countries after confirming Renault Samsung's futuristic potential and international edge.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY TO SOCIETY ― Renault Samsung has conducted diverse activities contributing to regions in a bid to enhance its corporate image and standing by realizing corporate responsibility through return of profit to society.
The automaker organized a prayers'event celebrating the first full moon on the lunar calendar, designed to reenact traditional Korean cultural heritage and traditional Korean song festival. Renault Samsung has offered programs on ensuring the safety of children, designed to develop an advanced automobile culture.
NEW RECRUITS- Renault Samsung plans to recruit 1,000 employees under the mid-term project. The new recruits will be dispatched to Busan assembly line for a two-shift system and the Giheung Research Institute as part of its efforts to beef up R&D and marketing networks.

SUV ASSEMBLY LINE ― Renault Samsung plans to expand an assembly line for exclusively churning out SUVs, one-fourth of the existing automobile manufacturing plant this as part of its plan to mass-produce SUVs next year.
The automaker plans to open 14 new dealerships in a move to make them luxurious and large-sized with a view of improving marketing networks and emphasizing the high-quality image of the SM series. Renault Samsung plans to increase car repair shops in partnership with the carmaker by 40 percent as part of its efforts to strengthen car service networks and provide customer-oriented differentiating premium services. nw

Renault Samsung's SM3 New Generation

New Renault Samsung CEO Jean Marie Hurtiger(left) and his predecessor Jerome Stoll