Renault changes partner in China
- The Renault group set a partnership with Dongfeng in the 2010s to produce and sell vehicles in China. This choice was pushed by the fact that Dongfeng was the principal partner of Nissan, Renault's partner in the Renault-Nissan Alliance. What had worked so well with Nissan in China could also be repeated with Renault, but the Chinese sales of Renault never really took off. In 2020, 1,133,000 Nissan were sold in China while Renault sales did not exceed 5,500 units (compared to 20,000 in 2019, 50,000 in 2018 and 72,000 in 2017).
- Suddenly, Renault had considered leaving the Chinese market, but like PSA (now Stellantis), the French carmaker decided to stay in China but to find a new local partner. It was finally with Geely, the first independent Chinese carmaker, that the agreement was reached.
- Geely is a large group which owns the Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co, Proton, Lotus and LEVC brands. It is also a Daimler partner in the future Smart made in China project.
- Without being involved again in the future Smart project, Renault could design and market hybrid and electric vehicles jointly under the Geely and Renault brands. Remaining the case of the Dacia Spring which is still assembled at Dongfeng plant and also the case of the Ezoom Yi sedan which we should discover in Europe in the coming months (under the Mobilize brand). Renault's strategy in China therefore seems to be questionable today without being redefined with precision.
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