| Barrie Travis, CAP used valuation editor:
The Premium 420 dCi's reputation for being a dependable motor is being backed up by CAP used valuation editor Barrie Travis: "It's a good, steady truck that has stood the test of time. It's decent and reliable enough for operators. Once you get drivers into them they tend to like it. It's a nice drive. There's nothing wrong with the dCi engine and it's economical enough."
It also represents a decent deal as its standing i sbelow mid-table when compared with contemporaries. Market perception still isn't strong, Travis explains, although Renault has done a good job protecting its stock: "Franchised dealers keep a good RV, but the reputation it has on the open market it doesn't deserve. It's a good workhorse that is up to the job without costing operators an absolute fortune to buy."
After chasing market share with the Premium in the years after the 1996 launch, Renault has made a conscious decision to do limited buy-back deals, chasing smaller customers and long-term business. "It has paid off because they now have stock at manageable levels," says Travis. "The future is looking reasonably rosy." |