Renault Alaskan ute still awaiting Australian confirmation
Renault Australia has reaffirmed its interest in the Alaskan ute, but confessed the one-tonne pickup will not be confirmed for the local market until an adequate business case can be made for it.
Speaking at the Megane sedan and wagon launch last week, Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar was incapable to provide clear timing for the Alaskan and insisted that speculation relating to its forthcoming arrival had been exaggerated.
“Everybody’s expectations on the timeline of this vehicle are still a little out of kilter,” he said.
“Renault didn’t have an existing model, so news of the concept car and news of what was being done began very early in the entire development phase.
“Now everybody has a clear impression that the project is taking a long time to progress, but in reality it is moving along, by and large, as expected.”
The Nissan Navara-based pick-up went on sale in Colombia last October ahead of its roll-out across Latin America.
If it gets the green light, the pick-up will target older, lifestyle-focused buyers rather than tradespeople.
Initial Alaskan production has taken place in Mexico, with factories in Argentina and Spain to also join the fold soon.
“We are a prime market for utes, and of course Renault Australia and our dealer network are very keen to get access to this vehicle at the earliest possible time,” said Mr Hocevar.
“But there is still a series of markets where it needs to be flipped out.
“Our business case has to align with everybody else’s, and it won’t be until that is validated we will be able to confirm whether we are a go or no-go. Only time will tell on the success of our business case, and how we would package and bring the vehicle to market.”
In February, Renault Australia light-commercial vehicles (LCV) senior model line manager Lyndon Healey said the Alaskan would be pitched above the Navara as a semi-premium suggesting.
Hence, if it gets the green light, the pick-up will target older, lifestyle-focused buyers rather than tradespeople, who are the focal point of the Nissan product.
Its direct rival would be the Volkswagen Amarok – another European-brand contender in the pick-up segment.
At the same time, the Alaskan will avoid the territory soon to be occupied by the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz X-Class – another mechanical relative, which is set to be exposed next week.
Assuming the Alaskan receives approval for an Aussie launch, expect to see it roll into local showrooms sometime next year.