2024-03-30 09:22:46
The factory in the north-east of France will in fact produce, from 2026, the group’s new generation of electric utility vehicles, confirmed Friday March 29 the general director of Renault, Luca de Meo, traveling to Sandouville, accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire and the mayor of Le Havre Édouard Philippe.
Published on: 03/30/2024 – 10:22
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The production of this 100% electric van will result in an investment of 300 million euros and the creation of 550 jobs over the next four years. The future of the site is therefore guaranteed, although there was talk of closure a few years ago.
It is the way forward in Europe to catch up in this sector, underlines the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire: “ I hear some in Europe telling us: “Perhaps we should slow down our electricity transition”, to “see if we should not go back”, or that “this would be a major economic mistake”. We have made a choice in Europe, which is to switch to electric. We must resolutely stick to this choice, otherwise manufacturers will be lost, will no longer know where to go and we will once again fall behind our Chinese competitors. »
Also read: The electric transition in the automobile industry is slower than expected
« It’s good for the planet to produce in France. A product made in France means half as many greenhouse gas emissions as in the United States and four times less than in China », Underlined the Minister of Economy and Finance, who accompanied the general director of Renault Luca de Meo.
Electric vans
Europe must indeed accelerate the manufacturing of electric vans, the future FlexEvan by 2026. The latter only represent 7.4% of the European utility market, while Brussels has set ambitious objectives: the cessation of sales of thermal light utility vehicles in Europe from 2035. These new generation electric vans will supply the Flexis joint venture, created by Renault, Volvo and the shipowner CMA CGM and designed for deliveries of “ last mile ».
The announcement was accompanied by a promise of 550 hires in four years and 330 million euros of investment for this historic production site of the automobile group, where 1,850 people and 600 temporary workers already work. Renault and Volvo each plan to invest 300 million euros over the next three years in Flexis, which will be based in France.
« E-commerce is exploding and this makes the need to reduce the environmental impact of these vehicles in the city even more essential. », Underlined the general director of the French manufacturer.
Lower production taxes and develop new sectors
The development announced in Sandouville is the fruit “ reductions in production taxes », affirmed Bruno Le Maire. “ We will continue to lower production taxes in France », he added, while the government is looking for savings to reduce the public deficit which reached 5.5% of GDP in 2023, or 15.8 billion euros more than expected .
For the minister, it is urgent to create “ new industrial sectors » in batteries but also in artificial intelligence, heat pumps and photovoltaics. The batteries for the FlexEvan will also be supplied by Verkor and its Dunkirk factory, which has a partnership with Renault.
Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Bruno Le Maire have both warned of the need to find land to facilitate the establishment of industries in France. “ We must question the implementation of ZAN “, the law “ zero net artificialization » of July 2023, which consists of limiting the extension of land artificialization, estimated the minister. This already excludes green industrial projects from the ZAN. “ Let’s ask ourselves if we should not do the same for all industrial projects that respect the strictest environmental standards », questioned the minister.
Also read: Why electric car sales are slowing around the world
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