Renault Korea demonstrates resilience with Grand Koleos SUV

Carmaker aims to extend winning streak with Aurora 2 project

By Lee Min-hyung

Renault Korea has demonstrated resilience by achieving robust sales for the Grand Koleos SUV, winning multiple awards for its strong commercial value, the carmaker said Friday.

The success of the flagship SUV has paved the way for the firm’s long-awaited rebound in the local car market. The carmaker launched the vehicle in 2024, its first new addition to its lineup in four years.

The Grand Koleos marks the beginning of Renault Korea’s Aurora project, aimed at reclaiming its glory by diversifying its key lineup from hybrid SUVs to electric vehicles (EVs).

Since its debut in September last year, the midsize SUV has maintained strong sales momentum. According to Renault Korea, sales topped 10,000 units in December and exceeded 30,000 in March this year.

The solid sales performance has been driven by its balanced features in terms of safety, comfortable driving and prices. The Grand Koleos, featuring a hybrid powertrain, has garnered a positive response from customers, with nearly 90 percent of its sales coming from the E-Tech hybrid variant.

For Renault Korea, the Grand Koleos carries extra significance as the brand’s first model to reach the 10,000 sales milestone in the shortest time.

As evidenced by the strong sales, the vehicle swept multiple prominent car awards in Korea.

According to the Korea Automobile Journalists Association and the Automobile Writers’ Association of Korea, the Grand Koleos was awarded the 2025 SUV of the year.

“We will not rest on the status quo but seek to achieve a bigger success by completing the ongoing Aurora project and smoothly transforming into an influential EV maker,” an official from the carmaker said.

The company is also sparing no efforts to localize production for vehicles with diverse powertrains. Earlier this year, the company renovated its flagship manufacturing facility in the nation’s southern port city of Busan.

“The upgraded production line in Busan will enable us to assemble not just typical vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, but hybrids and even EVs,” the official said. “The facility is also widely expected to serve as a key venue to boost our exports.”

Renault Korea plans to unveil its Aurora 2 project by the end of this year and start selling the large SUV in the first half of 2026.