Renault to launch electric crossover in China next year
Renault will launch sales of its first electric vehicle, a low-cost subcompact crossover, in China next year.
The EV -- the Renault K-ZE -- was introduced as a concept last week at the Paris auto show.
The K-ZE was adapted from the Kwid subcompact crossover Renault sells in India and other emerging markets. It has a range of 250 km under the NEDC standards in Europe.
The EV features air conditioning, a large touchscreen, rearview camera and parking sensors and connected navigation and services.
It was developed by eGT New Energy Vehicle Co., an EV engineering partnership the Nissan-Renault alliance established with Chinese partner Dongfeng Motor Group in Shiyan in central China’s Hubei province in August 2017.
The EV will be built at Dongfeng’s assembly plant in Shiyan and distributed by Dongfeng-Renault, Renault’s joint venture with Dongfeng, according to information the Shiyan government disclosed on its website.
At the Paris auto show, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and chairman of Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors, said the Renault K-ZE most likely will be sold outside China. “We’re starting with China, but the scope will be global,” Ghosn added.
In March 2017, Dongfeng-Renault disclosed plans to roll out nine new models, including three EVs, over the next four years.
In December 2017, Renault also established a commercial vehicle joint venture with Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Co. in the northeast China city of Shenyang to assemble multipurpose vehicles and vans.
Renault-Brilliance Jinbei will first produce and market vehicles under the Jinbei brand. It is due to start producing Renault-badged models in 2020.
Automotive News Europe contributed to this article.
The K-ZE was adapted from the Kwid subcompact crossover Renault sells in India and other emerging markets. It has a range of 250 km under the NEDC standards in Europe.
The EV features air conditioning, a large touchscreen, rearview camera and parking sensors and connected navigation and services.
It was developed by eGT New Energy Vehicle Co., an EV engineering partnership the Nissan-Renault alliance established with Chinese partner Dongfeng Motor Group in Shiyan in central China’s Hubei province in August 2017.
The EV will be built at Dongfeng’s assembly plant in Shiyan and distributed by Dongfeng-Renault, Renault’s joint venture with Dongfeng, according to information the Shiyan government disclosed on its website.
At the Paris auto show, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and chairman of Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors, said the Renault K-ZE most likely will be sold outside China. “We’re starting with China, but the scope will be global,” Ghosn added.
In March 2017, Dongfeng-Renault disclosed plans to roll out nine new models, including three EVs, over the next four years.
In December 2017, Renault also established a commercial vehicle joint venture with Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Co. in the northeast China city of Shenyang to assemble multipurpose vehicles and vans.
Renault-Brilliance Jinbei will first produce and market vehicles under the Jinbei brand. It is due to start producing Renault-badged models in 2020.
Automotive News Europe contributed to this article.