After winning all three of this season's FIA Formula One World Championship races in a row, success is spreading rapidly throughout Renault, with its UK van division the latest part of the company to take its share of the limelight, following impressive first quarter results.

In a van market down 1%, Renault set a hot pace by posting its best ever UK results for March, with light commercial vehicle (<3.5T) sales up 33% compared to the same month in 2004 (3,027 units against 2,256). As the number one van brand in Europe, Renault's aim to take an even greater slice of the UK van market also came a step closer with its market share growing from 4.7% to 6.3% in the same month.

Proving that March's result wasn't merely a case of a flood of new purchases as a result of the registration plate change, Renault's overall year-to-date performance in the UK has been just as impressive. While the total light commercial vehicle market grew steadily by 3% in the first three months of this year, Renault's first quarter sales accelerated to 5,662 units, an increase of 19% (912 units) over the same three month period in 2004.

Aside from the influence of several new niche models introduced in recent months, such as the Trafic Crew Van and Master RWD (rear wheel drive), the secret behind these record results undoubtedly lies with the popularity of Renault's Trafic and Master models as well as its impressive fleet van sales.