Renault Argentina

Renault Argentina S.A.

File:Renault 2021.svg Renault logo
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA)
Founded	1975
Headquarters	Córdoba , Argentina
Area served	Argentina
Products	Automobiles, pickups, vans
Parent	Renault
Website	www.renault.com.ar

Renault Argentina serves as the Argentine branch of the French automobile manufacturer Renault. It stands as one of the longest-established Renault operations worldwide and consistently leads local automakers in sales. Although officially founded in 1975, Renault's involvement in Argentina dates back much earlier.

Initial Phase

Renault initially collaborated with Industrias Kaiser Argentina, a company formed by Kaiser-Frazer Automobile Corporation and the Argentine government, which operated a primary plant in Santa Isabel, Córdoba, along with several smaller facilities across the country. In 1967, Renault acquired a controlling interest and renamed the firm IKA Renault SAICF. By 1970, Renault had obtained full ownership and launched the Renault 12 in 1971. This model achieved significant popularity in Argentina, with production exceeding 444,000 units until manufacturing ceased locally in 1994.

In 1975, Renault rebranded its Argentine operations as "Renault Argentina S.A." and continued utilizing the Santa Isabel factory inherited from IKA.

Growth and Challenges

The company broadened its product range with popular models such as the Renault 18 and Renault 11. Nevertheless, the economic downturn during the late 1980s severely affected production. Despite having the capacity to produce 400 vehicles daily, output dropped to just 70 due to an outdated and oversized labor force. This situation led Renault’s French parent company to decide on divesting from its Argentine subsidiary.

CIADEA Era

Following market liberalization under President Carlos Saúl Menem, Renault streamlined many smaller operations within Argentina to improve financial performance. In 1992, businessman Manuel Antelo acquired a controlling interest in Renault Argentina under advantageous conditions—payment was contingent on profitability, and Renault provided ARS100 million. The enterprise was renamed Compañia Interamericana de Automóviles SA (CIADEA). Ownership transferred to the holding company Compagnie Financière pour l'Amérique Latine (Cofal), which was two-thirds owned by Antelo and one-third by Renault France. Cofal also managed new ventures in Brazil. Cofal held a 72.3% stake in CIADEA, with the remainder publicly traded on Buenos Aires’ stock exchange.

Antelo reorganized the business by downsizing staff and modernizing facilities to align with Renault’s French quality benchmarks. CIADEA introduced models like the Renault 19 and Renault 9, establishing itself as a prominent automaker in Argentina.

1994 Legal Issues

In 1994, judicial authorities investigated Antelo over allegations involving smuggling and fraud related to exporting automotive parts to Uruguay and reimporting them as Renault Trafic vehicles. The claims asserted that CIADEA improperly obtained export rebates and import tax exemptions. While charges were dismissed by a Federal Court in 1998, they were later reinstated by an appeals court. In 2000, Antelo secured release on ARS1 million bail, avoiding incarceration. Ultimately, the case was resolved with dismissal in 2006.

Despite launching models such as the Renault Clio and Renault Mégane, CIADEA faced challenges achieving profitability throughout the 1990s. In 1997, Antelo sold a majority share of Cofal back to Renault, prompting a name change back to Renault Argentina. The company experienced varied outcomes over subsequent years. Between 2001 and 2010, Renault Argentina also managed Nissan vehicle sales within the country.

In 2005, Renault Développement Industriel et Commercial (RDIC) initiated a takeover bid for shares of Renault Argentina, resulting in its removal from the stock exchange in 2006.

By 2018, production at the Santa Isabel plant expanded to include the Frontier pickup truck as part of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, which had been established in 1999. This expansion involved an investment of US$600 million, with half of output destined for export markets. Although built at Renault’s facility, this pickup retained Nissan branding.

Two years later, Renault Argentina introduced its own pickup model—the Alaskan—which shares its platform, engine, and most components with the Nissan Frontier. Both vehicles continue to be manufactured at the Santa Isabel factory.

Santa Isabel facility

Located 10 kilometers away from the capital city of Córdoba province, the Santa Isabel facility spans 238.5 hectares and includes roughly 400,000 square meters dedicated to buildings. This manufacturing site comprises specialized workshops for Drawing and Welding, Stamping, Assembly, and Painting operations, all supported by departments focused on Industrial Logistics, Engineering, and Quality control within the factory's organizational structure. Additionally, the site accommodates Human Resources, Logistics, Financial Management, and Business units.

In celebration of its 50th year in 2006, Renault organized a special parade showcasing every vehicle model produced at the plant since it began operations in 1956.

Vehicle production

Below is a catalog of vehicles manufactured by the company (models from Industrias Kaiser Argentina are counted starting from 1975 when "Renault Argentina" was officially founded).

Models currently produced

Model	Type	Origin	Produced	Image
Kangoo	Van	Template:Country data FRA	1999–present
Logan	Subcompact	Template:Country data ROM	2016–present
Sandero	Subcompact	Template:Country data ROM	2016–present
Stepway	Crossover	Template:Country data ROM	2019–present
Renault Alaskan	Pickup truck	Template:Country data JPN	2020–present

Formerly produced models

Model	Type	Origin	Produced	Image
4	Economy / Van	Template:Country data FRA	1975–86
Torino	Mid-size	USA Template:Country data ARG	1969–81
6	C-segment	Template:Country data FRA	1975–84
12	Mid-size / Station wagon	Template:Country data FRA	1970–93
18	D-segment / Station wagon	Template:Country data FRA	1981–93
Fuego	Sport compact	Template:Country data FRA	1982–91
11	C-segment	Template:Country data FRA	1984–93
Trafic	Van	Template:Country data FRA	1986–2002
9	C-segment	Template:Country data FRA	1987–96
21	D-segment	Template:Country data FRA	1988–97
19	C-segment	Template:Country data FRA	1992–99
Mégane	C-segment	Template:Country data FRA	1997–2008

Notes

Imported models

• Duster (2011–current)
• Renault Duster Oroch
• Renault Kwid
• Renault Koleos
• Renault Twingo
• Renault 5
• Renault 30
• Renault 25
• Renault Captur

Notes

Motorsport

Renault Argentina manages its motorsport activities through Renault Sport Argentina, which competes in series such as Super TC2000, TC2000, Turismo Nacional, and oversees the national Formula Renault competition. The company achieved significant victories in TC2000 throughout the 1980s and 1990s with the locally produced Renault Fuego. Additionally, Renault Sport Argentina established the Renault Duster Team to participate in the 2013 Dakar Rally, fielding two vehicles.