Dongfeng-Renault Chinese Venture Might Build EVs

Renault SA is considering producing electric vehicles at its proposed joint venture assembly plant with Dongfeng Motor Group Co. in Wuhan, China, The Wall Street Journal reports.

COO Carlos Tavares tells the newspaper that Renault's proposal to Chinese authorities for the 7.2 billion-yuan ($1.2 billion) factory includes a green vehicle component. He didn't disclose how much of the facility's annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles might be devoted to EVs.

It was a "nice coincidence" and a competitive advantage for Renault that the Chinese authorities asked the company to bring its electrification technology to the venture, according to Tavares. He says Renault has captured 51% of Europe's EV market with its four all-electric models: the Fluence sedan, Kangoo delivery van and the Twizy and Zoe city cars.

Tavares adds that the partners have not yet decided which EVs models they would make in China.

He confirms that China's Ministry of the Environment has approved the Wuhan venture. The project still requires the permission of several other government bodies, including the powerful National Development and Reform Commission.