Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, updated Kangoo van delayed to 2024

The Australian division of French car-maker Renault has announced local arrivals of its Megane E-Tech Electric hatch and the new-generation Kangoo van have been delayed – with the pair now due in showrooms during the first quarter of 2024 (January to March) .

While the delay represents a push back of about three months for the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric – originally due to make its Australian debut later this year – the Kangoo’s local arrival has now stalled three times and by more than 18 months.

The new Renault Kangoo van – revealed overseas in late 2020 as the first new model in 12 years – was initially slated to arrive from the third quarter of 2022 (July to September), before it was delayed again to the first quarter of 2023.

By the time it arrives in Australian showrooms, petrol and diesel variants of the ‘new’ Renault Kangoo will be almost three-and-a-half years old – while the E-Tech Electric grade is expected to arrive even later.

Meanwhile, the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric’s updated local launch date is approximately two years after it went on sale in Europe.

Renault’s local importer Ateco attributed both the Kangoo and Megane E-Tech Electric’s delays to other countries being prioritised, as the French car-maker holds a slim portion of Australia’s new-car market.

Between January and June 2023, Renault reported 4425 cars as sold in Australia – a market share of just 0.8 per cent and a 10 per cent drop in sales compared to the same period last year.

Renault’s Australian division is yet to announce pricing and specifications for the new-generation Kangoo, though its updated equipment is expected to result in a price rise over the existing model – priced from $26,390 to $32,590 plus on-road costs for petrol and diesel models, and $50,390 for the electric Kangoo ZE.

As previously reported, the Megane E-Tech Electric is expected to be priced between $70,000 and $80,000 plus on-road costs, with Australian buyers understood to be offered just one high-end variant compared to the three grades available overseas.