Renault Considering Sub-brands: Report

A possible rebirth for the Alpine brand may not be the only new Renault marque in the works, according to recent reports.

French website LesEchos reports that Renault Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares is considering a four-brand strategy for the French carmaker.

The core Renault brand and its Romanian budget-brand Dacia (acquired 1999) could soon be joined by sub-brands for niche sports cars and premium luxury models.

The Alpine nameplate is a likely option for the niche sports car brand, though this is yet to be confirmed. As for prestige offerings, the name 'Initiale Paris' has been reported in the French press.

The ‘Initiale’ moniker has been applied to several top-end Renault models in the past, including a 1995 concept luxury sedan (pictured above).

It is unclear whether the brand would be treated as a separate brand - such as Nissan's Infiniti line - or as an extension of the Renault brand, similar to Citroen’s DS line.

Renault has been without a genuine luxury flagship since the demise of the slow-selling Vel Satis model in 2009.

The mooted premium luxury sub-brand would take advantage of the ‘strategic cooperation’ between the Renault-Nissan alliance and Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler.

This relationship will soon spawn the Renault Kangoo-based Mercedes-Benz Citan, with a new Renault Twingo-based Smart also expected.

With Nissan's Infiniti also working with Daimler technologies, it is possible that Renault will look to Mercedes platforms for new premium models.

With suitable platforms available, the rumoured ‘Initiale Paris’ brand could reach the market as early as 2015 or 2016.