Work or play, the sturdy, stylish and spacious Renault Sandero 2013 line-up, now complemented by the addition of the super exclusive Stepway Limited Edition, is ready for action and adventure just like international surfing star and model Roxy Louw, the official ambassador of the Renault Sandero range. A firm favourite with South Africa’s motoring public since its March 2011 launch, sales of the Sandero Stepway crossover have shown consistent month-on-month growth with an impressive 80% growth in 2012 compared to 2011. Stepway’s price tag, impressive list of standard features and crossover SUV-like characteristics make it an affordable, practical and lifestyle-oriented choice that is totally unique in its category. Longer and wider than its two Sandero siblings, it’s amazing what its additional 20mm ground clearance and overall elevation can facilitate on- and off-road and it is one of the only vehicles in its class that has proven small utility vehicle capabilities.

According to Fabien Payzan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Renault South Africa: “The Stepway is a unique offering in it’s segment as it is the only crossover in its category at such an attractive, affordable price. Our shift of focus since mid-2012 to Stepway has certainly yielded positive results. Over 50% of Sandero sales now comprise of the Sandero Stepway and its success in the local market has well exceeded our expectations. With increased interest from the buying public and thanks to favourable testimonials, we are heading towards sales of almost 3 000 Stepway 1.6 units per year.

“In response to the high demand, we are in the process of increasing production of Stepway by over 25% and are confident that sales of this much sought-after crossover model will continue to rise as we are expecting to reach close to 300 units per month.” Welcoming Roxy Louw to the Renault fold as the face of the Sandero range, Payzan said that South Africa’s favourite action adventure girl  was an obvious choice to ambassador the proudly South African Sandero line-up. “We believe that Roxy is synonymous with the character and fortitude that is inherent in the DNA of every Renault Sandero that comes off the production line of the Renault-Nissan Alliance production plant in Rosslyn and we are proud to align ourselves with her and welcome her to the extended Renault family.”

Only 100 Sandero Stepway Roxy Louw Limited Edition vehicles are available, 50 each in red and black. The vehicles are complemented by Roxy’s signature turtle and hibiscus Cowabanga emblem which lends her distinctive stand-out look and feel to the Limited Edition. Additional exclusive extras include a new Blaupunkt Bluetooth MP3 radio with USB and auxiliary input plus a TomTom LIVE navigation unit to make everyday driving an experience. In her response to Payzan, Louw says that she chooses to align herself only with brands that she has an affinity and connection with.be. “Both the Sandero and I are homegrown, proudly South African products so we’re off to a great start and together, we look forward to sharing with you an action-packed and adventure-filled 2013!”

“I’ve been driving my Stepway for a few months now, it’s spunky and I just love it. Like me, the car is unpretentious and practical and, importantly, priced to be within reach of the man-in-the-street. I’ve never been a leather seat kind of girl … with wetsuits and surfboards to get around, that’s really not my style." Roxy says that she has just moved into a new apartment on the Atlantic seaboard side of Cape Town “and I could not have managed to move my stuff without it. Like me, it’s a city girl but also a tomboy and with Stepway’s sturdy yet stylish build and additional ground clearance, the great outdoors and off-road adventure? No problem.

“I love everything about my Sandero Stepway. It’s nippy, economical to run and does everything it needs to.  Spacious beyond belief, my surfboards, bicycle, wetsuits - you name it - everything fits on it or in it. That said, it’s also a super sexy, hot hatchback and for where I am in my life right now, it’s the perfect car for me. “I’m thrilled to be the face of the Renault Sandero range and my branding on the Stepway Limited Edition says it all. As my brother Robbie delights in saying: “Rox, the car is just so you!”

Renault Sandero 2013 Range updates
Upgrades implemented on the 2013 Sandero Range include some great new updated looks and features.Sandero’s quality and substance receives a further boost on the 1.4 Ambiance and 1.6 Dynamique models which now boast a trendy front bumper spoiler lip and an updated rear bumper with a black insert. to give In addition, the 1.6 Dynamique get s sporty punch with a chrome exhaust tailpiece. For added driving experience and pleasure, Further  the 1.6 Dynamique and Stepway models now include as standard a new Blaupunkt MP3 Bluetooth radio with USB and auxiliary input. Two new colour options, metallic black and techno-grey have been added to the Stepway line-up to complement Stepway’s design and styling and prove to be popular choices with our customers.

Renault Sandero in perspective
A major player in the AB entry hatch segment, the Renault Sandero has enjoyed year-on-year growth since it’s launch in March 2009 and, today, this made-in-SA value for money vehicle is the marque’s main volume driver according to Senior Product Manager Wayne van der Merwe. “By the end of 2012 Renault Sandero finished off with 10% share of dealer channel sales in the AB entry hatch segment and 8.5% of total sales. Since launching in 2009, we have sold 21 359 units in total - 16 571 of those through our dealer channel representing 78% of total Sandero sales.” Sandero’s affordable price tag, parts availability and pricing, class-leading space (including 320 litres of boot space) and myriad above-class category specifications and features, have combined to make the sturdy and stylish hatchback a success.

“The introduction of the unique Stepway urban crossover variant has served to bolster Sandero’s growth and has made a significant contribution towards underscoring Sandero’s solid position as a major player in the highly contested entry level passenger car segment which includes competitor models such as Figo, Vivo and Etios”, says van der Merwe “The arrival of the Stepway crossover, the flagship of the made-in-SA Sandero line-up marked an important new chapter in the Sandero story,” adds Payzan. “It added a compelling lifestyle element to Sandero’s already-established virtues while offering South Africans a unique alternative to more conventional vehicles in the budget sector.” “The roomy, robust Stepway and its urban warrior appearance have proven a trendy and versatile addition to the Sandero range and the launch of our super exclusive Roxy Louw-look Limited Edition model has further entrenched its eye-catching style and myriad outstanding qualities. Its young, cool image and versatility has very successfully attracted a new customer base to the Renault brand.”