Renault gives van unit more independence, new electric model

PARIS – Renault will give operative independence to its remarkably successful industrial van unit and is planning a new electric powered modular motor vehicle in cooperation with an additional, unnamed enterprise.

CEO Luca de Meo claimed Tuesday in an update of his Renaulution strategic program that a standalone device will be equipped to unlock far more benefit from a sector that plays a key job in Renault Group’s profitability.

“LCV has generally been a profitable phase for us, accounting traditionally for around 20 p.c of our earnings,” de Meo claimed.

Vans ended up a cross-business device at the Renault-Nissan Alliance beneath previous Chairman Carlos Ghosn but did not have their own gain and reduction statement.

Rival automaker Stellantis in March introduced it was heading to develop a fully independent world-wide professional automobiles small business unit.

Vans have historically been a separate device also for the Volkswagen model and, extra not too long ago, at Ford of Europe. 

Study much more: 9 things to know about Renault’s new strategy

Renault, which says it has a 14 p.c industry share in a European van marketplace really worth an approximated 60 billion euros in earnings this calendar year according to S&P Global Mobility, says it hopes to benefit from two sector trends.

The very first is an once-a-year expansion of 10 percent per 12 months in “last mile” shipping vans since of a surge in on the internet retailing, and the 2nd is new emissions and air pollution polices that de Meo suggests will involve the substitute of about 30 {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the present fleet by 2030. The huge vast majority of vans on the highway these days are diesel driven.

On Tuesday, de Meo announcd that Renault would start in 2026 an electric powered, modular design named FlexEVan. It will be centered on a “skateboard” platform developed to enhance flexibility and personalization, and can could be upgraded with new batteries and offer you software program-defined functions.

The FlexEVan will have the measurement of a Kangoo compact van but a cargo place equivalent to a greater Trafic medium van, de Meo reported. It will be produced by a new, committed corporation named Flexis and will be designed in cooperation with yet another, unnamed “OEM.” De Meo did not recognize the corporation but stated it would not be a further automaker.

He said that FlexEVan would have a overall value of possession (TCO) that is 30 {cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} fewer than existing designs. He believed TCO at about 100,000 euros for the lifestyle cycle of a van, of which 20- 30,000 euros is the acquire selling price. Just one variation of the FlexEVan has by now been unveiled in thought sort: The Hippo, from Renault’s Mobilize mobility solutions device. 

The Hippo is centered on the previously EZ Flex concept, which is already undergoing early assessments with probable customers.