Tag Archives: Renault

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CEO of Renault demands new industrial policy in Europe

While Chinese car manufacturers are trying to conquer the European market and threaten the domestic industry, which is currently in crisis, the EU is trying to find a solution to stop them. The proposal was made by Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault and President of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), who called for a new industrial policy in Europe.

In September 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU will launch an investigation into the privileged position of electric vehicles produced in China due to subsidies. Some member states of the European Union are trying to independently protect domestic manufacturers, such as France, which announced that it was canceling subsidies on new electric cars produced in China. The biggest threat to French and other European manufacturers is not only Chinese companies like BYD, but also the world’s largest electric car manufacturer, Tesla.

Luca de Meo stated that Europe is facing major challenges and that the alienation and disorientation of the European automotive industry will lead to a structural trade deficit for Europe. He also warns that the phase-out of internal combustion engines, which is planned for 2035, could mean a decrease in the competitiveness of the European car industry. According to him, ICEs have been a protective barrier for Europeans for years, and now with the development of electric cars and the increased need for batteries, that protection is disappearing because the Chinese control 75 percent of global battery production.

Also, he expressed concern about the increase in car prices in the last two decades (+50%), as well as the average age of cars, which has increased from seven to 12 years. These and other reasons could be fatal for the automotive industry in Europe, if an appropriate decision is not made in time to protect domestic manufacturers and the domestic market.

Source: Reuters

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Renault is reducing the price of its EVs

Renault previously announced that it plans to launch seven new electric cars by the end of the decade, in an effort to return to the throne on the domestic market in the segment of electric vehicles. The compact hatchback Renault Megane E-Tech with a lower price thanks to a government subsidy could help them in this.

In an interview with Reuters, Renault sales director for France Ivan Segal said: “The main focus of the Renault brand in 2024 is to go back on the offensive in the electric vehicle segment, since we are currently second.”

The French carmaker is currently third in the domestic market with almost 18,000 electric Meganes sold last year, while other manufacturers have achieved much better results. Tesla has sold 25,000 Tesla Model 3s and more than 37,000 Model Ys, and is the leader in the French electric vehicle market. The second is the Chinese brand MG, which sold 20,000 units of the MG4 compact hatchback in its first year on the French market.

Renault’s response in the effort to regain the position of the largest car seller in France will be the electric SUV Scenic and the electric Renault 5, which is expected in the summer. Also, the reduction in the price of electric cars (subsidy) should contribute to this, making them more accessible to a larger number of customers compared to the main competitors (Tesla and MG). Now the price of the Megane E-Tech will be 34,000 euros, or 29,000 euros with the subsidy.

Megane E-Tech is based on the CMF-EV platform and is powered by an electric motor with 218 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. It is equipped with a 60 kWh battery that enables a range of 280 miles (450 km).

Source: Reuters

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2024 Renault 5 EV

Paying tribute to the legendary “5”, Renault has shown a willingness to bring electric cars closer to a wide range of European customers. This is exactly the role of the compact city car Renault 5 EV, which will be premiered in February 2024.

The car was first presented as a prototype at the 2021 Munich Motor Show, when it was announced that it would go into production in 2024. “I know from experience that reinventing a cult product lights a fire under the whole brand. This is a cult vehicle at a price many can afford. And this is only the beginning for the whole Renault brand,” said Renault CEO Luca de Meo.

It all started back in 1972 when Renault introduced the first Renault 5 model. The task of the engineers was to develop a car that would cover the space created between the 4 and the Citroen 2CV. The car was the best-selling model in France until 1980 when Renault expanded its offering in this class.

The car will be built on the CMF-BEV platform for small electric cars, making the Renault 5 a car at an affordable price (around 25,000 euros). It will be produced in Renault’s ElectriCity factory complex, and the company announces that production costs will be 30% lower compared to the Zoe model, given that 70% of the platform components are identical to those used by the Clio and Captur models.

Renault 5 EV will have a retro design, and will be equipped with a 40 kWh battery developed by Envision AESC in Douai, with the same charging system as the Mégane. It will have a range of 400 kilometers.

Source: Renault