Groupe Renault to launch first China-made EV model in 2019

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Groupe Renault is scheduled to launch the first China-made EV model in the world largest auto market next year and will roll out 3 new EV models there by 2022, according to a statement delivered by François Provost, chairman of the group's Asian Pacific Region, at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum.

“Renault is striving to develop an EV mobility ecosystem more than purely manufacturing EVs. Both Europe and China are committed to developing their EV industry and improving related infrastructures. On the technology side of things, Renault will work on providing Chinese consumers with reliable EV products and superior services based on the strategy of ‘gaining footing in China to serve Chinese market’,” said Provost.

Dongfeng Renault (DRAC), the joint venture (JV) between Dongfeng Motor Group (Dongfeng) and Groupe Renault, plans to roll out 9 new models by 2022, including 3 EV models, based on the “DRAC Vision 2022” Strategy.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Dongfeng announced on August 29 a new JV to co-develop and sell EVs in China. The new JV, eGT New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd, will design a new EV with intelligent interconnectivity that will be in line with the expectations of Chinese customers. It will be jointly developed by the Alliance and Dongfeng on an A-segment SUV platform of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Moreover, the French automaker and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited (Brilliance) jointly formed Renault-Brilliance-Jinbei Automotive Co., Ltd. last December to manufacture and sell light commercial vehicles (LCV) under the Jinbei, Renault and Huasong brands with the goal of achieving 150,000 sales annually by 2022 and an acceleration of electrifying powertrains.