Francois Farion – Renault Head Designer (Colours & Materials)
Looking at the roads around you when you’re stuck in traffic in cities like Johannesburg and towns like Stellenbosch, you could be forgiven for thinking that you are in an old-timey black-and-white movie. White, black and grey cars, bakkies and SUVs rule the roost on SA roads, after all.
However, in the midst of all this monochromatic sameness, a pop of colour will manifest every now and again in the form of a red, yellow, orange or blue car – and what a breath of fresh air it is! According to global sales statistics, the likelihood that these vibrantly hued cars will bear the Renault logo is pretty high.
In fact, according to Axalta’s most recent Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, white, black and grey cars may be at the top of the purchase log, but because Renault makes their vehicles available in such a wide array of colours, they sell up to 10 points more cars in vibrant colours than any other automaker.
So how did Renault become such a colourful brand? Well, it all started at the end of WWII. At the time, European carmakers had started making vehicles again, but colour was not really on their radar. But then the CEO of GM in America came to visit Pierre Lefaucheux and pointed out that their supply line was looking pretty drab – especially in comparison with the popular American cars of the time. In the US, roads were lined with vehicles in hues of pink, green, blue and yellow.
This was followed by a letter to Lefaucheux from revered decorator Paule Marrot who also referred to the Renault lineup as drab. Naturally, Lefaucheux did not feel like being outdone, and in 1953 he roped Marrot in to be their colour consultant – a brand-new addition to the payroll of Groupe Renault. This was the start of the brand’s colourful future, and things have only developed from there.
DID YOU KNOW? Renault red is known as ‘Flame Red’, its orange as ‘Atacama Orange’, and blue as ‘Celadon Blue’.
Interesting stuff, right? Check back soon for more news from Groupe Renault; we will be sharing news on design inspiration and brand aesthetics as it becomes available. In the meantime, feel free to get in touch with our team of seasoned sales professionals to learn more about the models we currently have on our showroom floors. Drive the change and discover a passion for life with Group1 Renault.
