Renault to develop EVs for Europe in China, setting R&D team in Shanghai, report says
Renault to develop EVs for Europe in China, setting R&D team in Shanghai, report sayshttps://carnewschina.com/2024/10/30/renault-to-develop-evs-for-europe-in-china-setting-rd-team-in-shanghai-report-says/n June, it was reported that the Chinese would help Renault with an electric version of Twingo. “The development of the car will be done together with the Chinese partner to reduce the development lead time and costs,” a project insider told Autohome.
Renault’s small R&D team in Shanghai was established earlier this year to work on an updated EV program. This team is part of Renault China’s Shanghai office but reports directly to Renault’s headquarters in France rather than Renault China, Autopix says.
Renault plans to shift more of its EV R&D to China, a source familiar with the matter said. The goal is to build a full EV development system there, including both software and hardware.
Renault most likely wants to take advantage of China’s extensive EV supply chain, following its legacy peers in relocating parts of their R&D and supply chain operations to China. For example, Volkswagen is designing EV models in China specifically for the Chinese market, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz are developing EVs in China for global sales.