In the automotive universe, the relationship between music and the image of a vehicle is rarely presented as a direct equation. However, the Renault Twingo case has shown that catchy songs and controversies not only influence pop culture, but can also have a surprising impact on the automobile market.
The controversy arose when Shakira released, together with Bizarrap, the song Music Sessions, Vol. 53, in which she dedicated some lines with taunts to her ex-partner, Gerard Piqué. The song not only generated headlines and mixed opinions, but also unexpectedly catapulted the little Renault Twingo onto the media scene, thanks to the phrase “You traded a Ferrari for a Twingo.”
One year later, and after more than 683 million views on YouTube, the Renault Twingo has experienced a significant increase in its popularity and market value. According to Autoscout24, Sumauto’s portal specialized in used vehicles, online searches for the car in question skyrocketed by 270% throughout 2023.
Curiously, this increase in interest had a direct impact on the sales price of the model in the used market between individuals, which grew by 57%. If in 2022, the Twingo was priced on average at 2,938 euros, in 2023 it reached 4,614 euros. An increase that, without a doubt, bears the imprint of the controversial song that involved the vehicle.
On the other hand, in the professional channel, the average price of the Twingo decreased by 9.3% in 2023, standing at 6,642 euros, possibly driven by the cessation of production of the Twingo in 2024 in its combustion version. This change in trend suggests a concentration of the market towards transactions between individuals.
Despite this unexpected boom, Renault is not satisfied and plans to relaunch the Twingo in 2026 with its fourth generation, marking a milestone by presenting it as a 100% electric model. Speculation about its price suggests that it will be below 20,000 euros, consolidating itself as an attractive option for urban and daily mobility.
Ignacio García Rojí, spokesperson for AutoScout24, points out that “due to their size and philosophy, the different generations of Twingo have always fit very well into the prototype of the 21st century city: small but spacious, economical, efficient, maneuverable and very little polluting” . Furthermore, he highlights that the marketing price of the new generation will be crucial, suggesting that it will continue to be an interesting option in terms of quality, sustainability and price.