Renault is considering a partnership with AutoNation to sell its Alpine models in the USA. The French automaker is open to other options too as it considers its long-term strategy. It could mean the introduction of the A110 sports car along with two sporty all-electric SUVs into the U.S. market sooner rather than later.
We’ve known for some time that Renault’s boss, Luca de Meo wanted to get back to selling cars in the USA. Chief executive Laurent Rossi seconded the idea as recently as January when he said: “We want to go to the U.S., which will create the bulk of the extra volume above and beyond the hot hatch and sporty car we are launching in 2025, and the successor to the A110,”
The big hurdle is exactly how to move into the market and now, Autonews is reporting that the brand might partner with AutoNation to sell its cars. “It’s not easy because we are not present in the U.S. and we have to start from scratch,” de Meo said of Renault’s hope to move into the American market.
More: Renault’s Alpine Sports Car Brand Is Working On Two Electric SUVs For The USA
AutoNation is notably one of the most successful dealership networks in the country. In fact, it ranks first on Automotive News’ list of the top dealership groups in the U.S. after retailing some 262,403 vehicles in 2021. That kind of selling power could certainly help Renault and Alpine to make a success of an American launch. De Meo also says that it’s open to other options if that doesn’t work out.
Rossi has already said that the brand is working on two electric SUVs specifically for the U.S. market and hopes to launch them in 2027 and 2028 respectively. That would come right after the end of the assumed production run for the current combustion-powered A110 sports car.
That same time period would likely see the introduction of an all-electric A110 successor which fits nicely into the overarching plan. We just hope we get a taste of the gas-burning A110 before it’s gone for good.
