1995 - 2005

Extracts taken from the CD-Rom "Amicale du Tracteur Renault" (1999 - Jacques Gouet)
and extracts from the "Encyclopédie du Tracteur Renault"
Three volumes (1919-1970) - (1971-2000) - (2000-2005) Editions ETAI
(Reproduced on this site with permission of ETAI)

A major problem arrose concerning this range, MWM who had been taken over by KHD in 1986 announced the end of production of the engines used on the Ceres range.

     Rapid action was necessary to resolve this situation and in a press release on the 17^th January 1994 an industrial co-operation project between John Deere and Renault Agriculture was announced. This project involved the supply of DPS engines manufactured by John Deere at Saran , France to Renault Agriculture in return Renault Agriculture supplied tractors fitted with DPS engines. These tractors were sold by John Deere as part of their range.

This agreement became effective in 1995 and saw the start of production of John Deere tractors at the Le Mans factory.

   The high range remained commercially important  but Renault Agriculture had no transmission suitable for tractors over 150 HP. At the same time Massey Ferguson were having difficulty with the cost effectiveness of their gearbox production line at Beauvais , France .

   This subsidiary has a capital of 55,4 million France and a workforce of 630 people including research and development and production staff. The agreement provided for the retention of individual identities for both in terms of specific products and in seperate sales and distribution networks. 

   But in 1995 a new gearbox studied by Renault-Agriculture and called TRACTONIC will equip the new high range on demand. GIMA will focus on the study of future Arès transmissions.

You can note on the graph the number of refistrations in France in 1994

On 17 November 1995, Bruno Morange, Chief Executive of Renault Agriculture and Pierre Leboucher, Chairman of JCB Europe, signed a Trading Agreement granting exclusive distribution rights for JCB goods to Renault Agriculture agents in 74 metropolitan Departments. The factory at Le Mans was also developing, the transfer lines were gradually  being replaced by machining centres.          The Internet arrives at Renault Agriculture ; e-mail was installed at the beginning of 1995 , then in 2000, the website Renault-Agriculture.com was born.

         We could not leave this decade without mentioning the « ARES », released in late 1996, early 1997 ; designed to replace the top-of-the-range model " T "

         However, a new development emerged to challenge the  « T » range; in fact, the halt to production of the MWM engine led Renault Agriculture to look for a new engine manufacturer ; and IVECO was appointed.

An equity investment of 16,66 % in Agritalia (maker of Renault’s Vignes & Fruitiers range) was concluded in 1997.

RENAULT Agriculture in India  :

         On 30 April 1999, a « Memorandum of Understanding » (a draft agreement) was signed by Renault Agriculture, represented by Bruno Morange, and International Tractors Limited (ITL), an Indian company based in Hoshiarpur in the Punjab , represented by its Chairman, L.D. Mittal.

It was a three-point plan :

           - A 20% equity investment by Renault Agriculture in ITL, along with a licence to manufacture the CERES Platform Tractor.

         -         Creation of a joint company (60% Renault Agriculture/ 40% ITL) to distribute to Europe those tractors manufactured in India under Renault licence.

        -         Creation of a joint company (60% Renault Agriculture/ 40% ITL) to distribute from Europe ranges of tractors and other agricultural machinery manufactured by Renault and Sonalika (trade name of ITL)

At the same time, the large trading company Export became Société RSI (Renault Sonalika International) based in Mauritius in order to be close to Africa, one of a number of countries with a growing market for  agricultural tractors.

Automatic guidance systems for agricultural tractors :

         In a press release issued on 28 October 1999, Renault Agriculture unveiled its research into automatic guidance systems for tractors as follows 

         “After two years of research, conducted in collaboration with Cemagref and LASMEA*, Renault Agriculture is breaking new ground with the introduction of the first automatic guidance system for agricultural tractors, using GPS Kinematic technology , clearing the way for new services in agriculture.”

            *Laboratory for Science and Materials in Electronics and Automation at the Blaise Pascal University in Clermont Ferrand.

Press Release of 8 March 2000 (extract)

Record turnover and rising profits 

for RENAULT Agriculture

     RENAULT Agriculture, subsidiary of RENAULT SA, specialising in the manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery, produced a turnover in 1999 of 4.050 billion francs (617.42 million Euros), an increase of 10.1 % over the preceding year.

     This increase in trading is accompanied by a more significant growth in net profits to 41.4 million francs (6.31 million Euros), a rise of 18.3 %.

     This performance enables Renault to pursue its development strategy :

    - consolidation of its share of the French market and tripling its market share in Europe ;

    - implementation of its programme of investment of 1.4 billion francs (213.42 million Euros), costs control, complete expansion of the range and an aggressive approach, particularly in Europe, will enable the manufacturer to achieve these goals.

 Organisation Chart for RENAULT Agriculture (December 1999)

The first « ATLES » models roll off the assembly line at Le Mans	In 2000 the « TEMIS »series replaced the «  T » range and MWM engines were no longer installed in Renault tractors after an effective 45-year collaboration.
The factory at Le Mans in 2000

The Renault campaign won the 2000 Grand Prix, the Agricultural Advertising Press award.

PRESS INFORMATION Paris, 15 May 2000 Renault-Agriculture carries off the Grand Prix of the Agricultural Advertising Press        To highlight brand qualities, comfort and reliability,      Renault Agriculture worked with l’Agence to design an advertising campaign, inspired by Zen philosophy and its values of serenity and self-control « To be Zen, it is better to be seen in orange », this campaign has been translated and adapted in 6 European countries, testimony to Renault’s commitment to doubling its market share in Europe.

Press Release of 9 January 2001  (Extract) 

RENAULT Agriculture in 2000

The year 2000 was to bring for RENAULT Agriculture the opportunity to demonstrate the commitments it had declared in previous years :

- Export development with :

       - the signing of the contract with the Indian company ITL,

       - the organisation of trade shows in United Kingdom , Germany and Spain and a stream of exhibitions in 8 European countries.

       - the marketing of the ATLES, the TEMIS and the new CERES and CERGOS models, the development of the ERGOPILOT and improvements across several other designs.

- Factory productivity with :

      The rollout of its 5-year investment plan.

- On the Sales front, the market share in France rose by 1.2 points to 18.97 % whereas sales in Europe withstood the fall in the market of 10 %.

   - Opening the route to India

     The agreement signed on 19 July in New Dehli with INTERNATIONAL TRACTORS LIMITED has enabled RENAULT to be one of the first globally to gain a foothold in the Indian market, and, through RSI, a joint trading company, to supply the emerging markets with modern tractors produced at competitive prices.

RSI Acronym

   - Investments in manufacturing

RENAULT Agriculture pursued its strategy of improvements in manufacturing productivity with a programme of investment of 1.4 billion francs over 5 years across all sites at Le Mans (down to the Spare Parts shop) and at Beauvais and implementation of the SAP Management System.

Other notable innovations during the year include :

    - The Ergopilot multi-function gearstick which allows control of virtually all of the tractor functions with just one hand,

    - The PROACTIV suspended front axle, which, together with the HYDROSTABLE cabin makes the ARES the most comfortable tractor on the market, with 8 suspension points.

   - The first public demonstration of the GPS-guided tractor.

   - Business results

     The French agricultural tractor market* fell by 9.86 % in 2000 compared to 1999, to 34,511 units. Under these conditions, RENAULT Agriculture posted 18.97 % of sales in France thus confirming its supremacy in this market.

      This performance represents a gain of 1.2 points compared to 1999. The best performance of 23.22 % was achieved in the largest market sector, that of tractors designed for mixed livestock farming.

     This excellent result is due to continuous product improvement in all aspects of the range from 52 to 250 hp, along with a Customer Service Policy that responds to the ever more sophisticated needs of farmers. Distribution of RENAULT tractors is undertaken by a network of 120 dealers and 1000 agents in France.

* The designation ‘agricultural tractors’ does not include vehicles with less than 30 hp (lawnmowers, garden tractors) and non-standard telescopic vehicles. Agricultural tractors represent more than 90 % of the total market of 37 965 units.

     In Europe, sales for RENAULT Agriculture fell twice, less (5 %) than the market decline of 10 %. It is worth noting a good performance in Germany, the second European market, where sales increased 13.3 % against a market decline of 11.3 %.

   - New products

     The year 2000 saw the launch of the ATLES in the high-power sector, from which RENAULT had previously been absent, and of the TEMIS which doubled the offering in the largest sector of 100 to 150 hp vehicles and the new CERES and CERGOS for medium-powered multpurpose tractors.

Press Release of 31 January 2001 (extract)

 SIMA 2001 REPORT

      In line with the manufacturer’s recent successes, the RENAULT Agriculture stand at SIMA has never been as big as this year. As well as the new CERES, CERGOS, ATLES and TEMIS, visitors will find the three innovations given an award by SIMA; an exhibition on design and creativity; the tractors and services delivered by the Indian joint venture and, for the first time, utility vehicles bearing the trademark lozenge.  

1- RENAULT wins three distinctions at SIMA 

- gold medal for ERGOPILOT^Ò

- silver medal for the TRACTOSAT^Ò automatic guidance system

- commendation for the 8-point shock absorber suspension system

RENAULT wins three medals at SIMA

   The panel of judges for SIMA’s Committee for the Encouragement of Technical Research awarded three distinctions, a gold medal, a silver medal and a commendation to RENAULT Agriculture, in recognition of its capacity for practical innovation. Never before has a manufacturer received as many awards from SIMA.

- Gold Medal :ERGOPILOTÒ

   The universal control system ERGOPILOTÒ is installed in the cabin of the tractor, and allows the tools to be steered with one hand. A true interface between man and machine, the ERGOPILOTÒ comprises a multi-function « joystick » with a command and control panel.

- Silver Medal : TRACTOSATÒ

Automatic Guidance System using GPS 

   Developed after 2 years of research, conducted in collaboration with Cemagref and Lasmea*, the automatic tractor guidance system, using GPS kinematic technology, represents a major innovation in agricultural technologies.

A few examples best illustrating its effectiveness in action:

  - capable of working in poor visibility, morning or evening, in direct sunlight, etc,

   - exemplary tracking over dry or damp ground, or when ploughing off-line,

   - savings on seed, treatment products or fertiliser as a result of no overlapping

   - easier regulation of input measures whilst work is in progress

   - greater precision for in-line cultivation or mechanical crop treatments, such as hoeing or ridging.

* Lasmea = Laboratory for Science and Materials in Electronics and Automation at the Blaise Pascal University in Clermont Ferrand.

 On-tractor GPS equipment.

RENAULT Agriculture embraces the Internet :

 RENAULT Agriculture’s Internet presence comprises two websites:

- www.renault-agriculture.com :

     A broad showcase for the company, its structure, its partnerships, its current business and financial news, the services it offers and, of course, information on its entire range, extensively described and illustrated. Highly practical and useful functions are also found here, such as employment opportunities with the company, with a direct link to the Human Resources department ; location maps that can be downloaded for visiting the company’s different sites. For brand followers, you can also download screen backgrounds or connect directly to the website l’Amicale du Tracteur Renault ( www.atr-agri.com ) which lists the models manufactured since 1918. 

- www.tractomarket.com :

  A shopping site, supplied directly by the brand dealers who feature their best bargains, perfectly identified and authenticated. Advertisements can be selected by equipment type, brand, price and horsepower. Just six months after its launch in September 2000, Tractomarket has already been adopted by 15 % of web users, the largest in France both in terms of activity as well as flexibility.

RENAULT Agriculture in 2002

     Today, RENAULT Agriculture manufactures tractors at three, and soon, four industrial sites. The Le Mans factory is the biggest and assembles the entire range, with the exception of the narrow Vignerons and Fruitiers (Vineyard and Orchard) models.

Transmissions are made at two sites :

at the Gima factory in Beauvais for the Arès and Atles models, and at Le Mans for the Temis, Cérès, Cergos and Ergos models. Also, the factory at Hoshiarpur in the Punjab in India is about to begin production for the Cérès platform models.

- Production at 4 factories :

Distribution Network :

 European Distributors :

- Germany , United Kingdom , the Netherlands

In France :

     -          115 dealerships and 1,000 agents

 Renault Agriculture’s Partners

Press Release of 3 June 2002 (extract)

The ARES transformed

with even more power and comfort

     Five years after its launch, and backed by the manufacture of 20.000 units , the ARES range has been transformed with many practical innovations in both confort and work performance. Three series of the ARES range will now be available ; the 500, 600 and 800 series offer a variety of options from 90 hp to 205 hp. for all farmers looking for a comfortable, economical and reliable tractor. With a wide selection of transmissions and hydraulic equipment, these tractors can be customised to suit every need.

For immediate release (extract)

 15 October 2002

RENAULT Agriculture and ANTONIO CARRARO

have signed a Distribution Agreement for ANTONIO CARRARO specialised tractors 

     On 10 October 2002, Guy POVIE, Chief Executive of RENAULT Agriculture, and Marcello CARRARO, Managing Director of ANTONIO CARRARO, signed an Agreement for the distribution of ANTONIO CARRARO specialised tractors through RENAULT Agriculture’s sales network. This Agreement, effective from  January 2003, combines the expertise of both companies  to provide their French customers with the best service. An analysis of the preliminary results of this Agreement will enable both parties to consider developing similar collaborations in Europe and worldwide.

Specialised products :

     The ANTONIO CARRARO tractors covered by the Distribution Agreement are made for the specialised professional agriculture market. Included are the ERGIT range(TC, TN, TF, TRX, TRG, SRX, TTR, TGF) and the 21 range(TIGRONE, SUPERTIGRE).

     By adding the ANTONIO CARRARO specialised tractors to its current offering, the RENAULT Agriculture Sales network will provide customers with a complete range of leading products (Claas, JCB, Pellenc, Kuhn, A. CARARO, etc), these tractors will be marketed under the brand name Renault MULTIS.

     In this way, Renault expands its ability to respond to the most diverse requirements and strengthens its position as a key player in the distribution of agricultural equipment.

 Website:www.antoniocarraro.it

Vélizy, 10 January 2003 (extract)

In a French market rising 7.88%, 

RENAULT Agriculture increases by 11.55%

 gaining a market share of 18.42%, and posting one of its best results for 10 years.

     The French agricultural tractor market* has risen 7.88% in 2002 compared to 2001, with 34,046 tractors registered.

     Against this backdrop, RENAULT Agriculture has put in one of its best performances in 10 years by registering 6,270 agricultural tractors, or 18.42% of sales in France , and confirming its leading position in this market.

     This excellent result is due to the continuous development of the range of RENAULT tractors (52 to 250 hp.) as well as to the professionalism of a well-motivated network of 115 dealerships and 1,000 agents.

* The designation ‘agricultural tractors’ does not include vehicles with less than 30 hp (lawnmowers, garden tractors) and non-standard telescopic vehicles. 37,965 units.  Agricultural tractors represent almost 90 % of the total market of 38,192 units in 2002.

For immediate release

 21 January 2003

RENAULT PRESS RELEASE  

RENAULT announces that from today, it is in private talks with the Claas Group , regarding RENAULT Agriculture.

RENAULT Agriculture has been making agricultural tractors for 80 years; the business has centred on Western Europe , enabling the manufacturer, over the years, to develop high technology tractors in response to the demands of the European farmer.

The German Group Claas, is family-owned, specialising in harvesters and hay balers, and is considered the market leader in its sector for technology and quality.

AND 3 MONTHS LATER :

Monday 24 February 2003

RENAULT Agriculture and Claas, partners 

in the agricultural machinery sector

     RENAULT and the German company, Claas have today signed a Partnership Agreement in respect of RENAULT Agriculture. Claas becomes the majority shareholder in Renault Agriculture taking an equity stake of 51 %, Renault SAS retains 49 %. This Agreement means that Renault Agriculture gains a new dimension to its product offering, as well as to its manufacturing and trading business.

     The alliance between RENAULT Agriculture and Claas builds on the synergy between the two companies, in terms of products, technologies, markets, sales volumes and ability to expand into new markets. This complementarity between Claas and Renault Agriculture will translate into economies of scale and a sharing of expertise and best practice in the areas of purchasing, production and design.

     In due course, Claas will own 80% of the equity in RENAULT Agriculture. RENAULT SAS, needing all its resources to brave the competition, will continue to affirm its support for the development plan for Renault Agriculture by retaining 20% of its equity.

     The legal entity RENAULT Agriculture will remain and this Agreement will not affect work contracts. The contracts and corresponding gains will stand.  The tradename RENAULT will continue to be used.

     This proposal will be submitted to the competition regulation authorities.

Established in 1913, the CLAAS company undertakes research, development, production and sales of harvesting machinery. Its turnover was 1. 27 billion euros in 2002. Claas is one of the market leaders in Europe and ranked 3rd globally in the combine harvester market. It is a world leader in automated silo loaders.

RENAULT Agriculture is a limited liability company, wholly-owned subsidiary of Renault SA, specialising in design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural and industrial tractors, as well as the distribution of a complete range of agricultural machinery. Renault Agriculture produced 9,343 tractors in 2002 and achieved a turnover of 636.8 million euros.

On Wednesday 30 April 2003 the competition authorities gave the go-ahead to the merger of RENAULT Agriculture with the Claas Group.

March 2003

2003, an outstanding SIMA !

 World Premier of the CELTIS …

     With 187,000 visitors, an increase of 3% over SIMA 2001, « SIMA 2003 » is undoubtedly one to be remembered.

     This excellent result is primarily due to 45,000 people coming from over 100 countries. 

     The 1,350 exhibitors from 39 countries have contributed significantly to this world-class performance.

     The RENAULT Agriculture stand, which is hosting the World Premier of the « CELTIS »  was taken by storm right up to the final day. More than 20,000 product brochures have been distributed.

     The Sales Management Team opened the Show on Sunday morning by bringing together the French network for a launch exhibition of the new « CELTIS », which was warmly received by everyone. This positive impression was followed by a very fine welcome for the Sales Teams. Throughout the Show, the customer response confirmed their level of interest, as demonstrated by over 500 contact sheets. The launch of model toys and clothing by the Part and Accessories Business Unit was a big hit, with the shop receiving a high number of visitors and achieving an excellent total sales figure.

Source : In-house Newsletter « Interligne N°1 »

Nothing could have predicted that this would be Renault’s final showing at SIMA !  

RENAULT Stand SIMA 2003  

First Claas tractor off the assembly line at Le Mans on 17 November 2003 

(Photo J.Gouet- ATR)

Factory Entrance early 2004, the flags, the Renault lozenge (on left) are 

still there, but Claas can be clearly seen (Photo J.Gouet- ATR).

Fresnes, 1 October 2004 (extract)

CLAAS :Business re-structuring in France.

    CLAAS is adapting its business structure across the French strategic market in order to respond more effectively to customer needs and to improve its competitiveness.

Accordingly, two new divisions have been created :

        - A single French business division (Claas France SAS) bringing together all trading activities, Sales and Customer Services, for machinery, tractors and spare parts.

         - This new structure will enable us to further improve our effectiveness and the quality of our customer care, in a highly competitive market.

         - A new company, CRA SAS, wholly-owned subsidiary of RENAULT Agriculture brings together all of the CRA (Claas Agricultural Network, and the old RENAULT Agriculture Centres) with the relevant support functions.

Remember that these CRA, branches of RENAULT Agriculture (22 premises with just under 900 staff) remain a fine example of a business structure where the global results make a contribution to overall Group performance.

     In accordance with social legislation, this new business structure in France has been submitted to the social partners for consultation ; implementation  will be phased in with immediate effect.

Fresnes, 1 October 2004 (extract)

 CLAAS tractors on sale in France

     CLAAS, in France, is breaking new ground with the introduction to the French market of a complete range of tractors, ranging from 35 to 335 horsepower.

     From 1 October 2004, the new division, Claas France SAS, will market a complete range of tractors, bearing the Claas colours and trademark, through a network of 120 exclusive dealerships. So, 22 models available in 6 ranges will now be offered to French farmers, with a unique, top-of the -range design :the XERION with 335 hp.

     In launching this new range, CLAAS offers its customers the expertise that made it a world leader in harvesting machinery with its LEXION combine harvesters and its JAGUAR silo loaders, whose reliability and performance need no demonstration.

     It is worth noting that the Renault tractors in trademark green will still be made !

Since the signing of the « Partnership Agreement » between RENAULT and CLAAS on 23 February 2003, the overall structure of the Tractor has been profoundly altered. The factory at Le Mans is becoming increasingly a location for parts assembly; the machining workshops are disappearing and a plan for the complete redevelopment of the factory is underway and is expected to be implemented in 2008. 

At the end of 2005, only the Ergos and Palès are produced under the tradename RENAULT ; certainly for a little while to come. 

    It is over for the RENAULT tractor ! But not entirely !

Translated by Andrew Knowles 

and by LCI Bretagne

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