Asia Tech Wire (Oct 31) -- French automaker Renault is planning to return to China to develop its electric vehicle R&D capabilities, according to Chinese media outlet Yicai.
Renault has been operating in China with light assets, but now it is strengthening its R&D in China, aiming to leverage China's new energy industry chain to enhance its competitiveness.
Renault said in a statement on Wednesday that in order to accelerate the development of electric vehicles, its EV unit Ampere is working closely with Chinese partners through its China-based research and development team, Advanced China Development Center.
The automaker said the team was set up to facilitate the future growth of Ampere and Renault by integrating and learning from the Chinese electric ecosystem during the development phase.
Citing a source close to Renault China, Yicai reported that Renault has already partnered with CATL in the battery supplier system.
According to Thursday's report, the newly formed R&D team belongs to Ampere and reports to Renault's French headquarters.
Several people familiar with the matter also said that Renault has outsourced its vehicle design program to Shanghai Launch Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. (LAUNCH), and that the Renault team is more responsible for management and auditing during the cooperation period.
LAUNCH is one of the earliest independent automotive design firms in China, and has participated in the design of products from Peugeot, Ford, Citroën, Vinfast and other car companies.
There have been recent reports that LAUNCH provides overseas customers with complete vehicle design, while also offering comprehensive supply chain management with the advantage of China's strong new energy automotive parts and components industry chain.
In addition to Renault, Volkswagen has been boosting the R&D strength and weight of its Hefei R&D center, and collaborating with Chinese startups such as Xpeng and Horizon Robotics.
Also, Jaguar Land Rover will resurrect the Freelander brand using a technology platform from Chinese automaker Chery Auto.
And Chinese EV startup Leapmotor has also begun plans to supply Stellantis with parts related to new energy vehicles after receiving an investment from the Jeep maker late last year.
The report pointed out that faster speeds and lower costs are the key reasons why overseas car companies have chosen one after another to engage in deeper cooperation with Chinese automakers.
A person from the planning department of a Shanghai-based automaker told Yicai that, based on the same platform, mass-produced models developed by European personnel and supply chains are 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan more expensive per vehicle than those developed in China.
In terms of time, it takes at least 36 months to develop an EV in Europe, while the fastest it takes in China is 24 months, the person said.
