Renault launches Ampere electric car business unit and Geely ICE joint-venture

New Ampere unit will develop EV hardware and software for Renault while Geely tie-up could be central to Dacia’s future

Renault badge

Renault CEO Luca De Meo has confirmed that the French automotive group has signed an agreement with Chinese car-making giant Geely, to create a new company committed to the development of next-generation internal combustion engines and hybrid drivetrains. 

Tentatively known as the ‘Horse project’ by Renault, the 50-50 partnership will develop the new powertrains at five global R&D centres. Renault Group and Geely brands will be the first recipients of the new engines so we could see them in Renault, Dacia, Geely, Volvo, Lynk & Co and Proton cars, as well as models from Renault’s Alliance partners Nissan and Mitsubishi. Supplying third-parties is also part of the plan. 

Renault has committed to becoming fully-electric in Europe by 2030, so the powertrains that will be developed by the new company will be used in cars for markets such as China, North America and Latin America. 

In Europe, a new ‘start-up’ company called Ampere is being created, which Renault says will be the first EV and software disruptor launched by an existing car company. The new standalone wing will employ 10,000 people and will develop six new electric cars to be launched under the Renault brand before 2030. 

The Ampere models will include the new Renault 5 EV, due for launch in 2024, along with the upcoming Renault 4 EV previewed earlier this year by the 4Ever Trophy concept at the Paris Motor Show. Continued development of the Megane E-Tech Electric will become the responsibility of Ampere, as will the launch of the upcoming Scenic Electric, and two further new EVs. Alpine will also have access to the Ampere intellectual property. 

The new Ampere business unit will be floated on the Paris Stock Exchange in 2023, with Renault to keep the majority of shares. In 2031, Renault is targeting a production output of 1 million vehicles per year. 

Now read our in-depth review of the Renault Megane E-Tech...

Recommended

BYD Atto 3 review
BYD Atto 3 - front tracking
In-depth reviews

BYD Atto 3 review

New kid on the block BYD has hit the ground running with its all-electric family SUV, combining quirky design with a comfortable ride in the Atto 3
5 Dec 2023
Lotus to take-on Tesla Superchargers with its own ultra-rapid EV charging network
Lotus Flash Chargers - full range of chargers and battery storage systems
News

Lotus to take-on Tesla Superchargers with its own ultra-rapid EV charging network

The British sports car maker will start rolling out 450kW rapid chargers in Europe next summer
1 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
New Renault 5 E-Tech: first official teaser images of the cute French EV
Official Renault 5 teaser - rear taillight
News

New Renault 5 E-Tech: first official teaser images of the cute French EV

Long-awaited all-electric reboot of the iconic Renault 5 coming to rival new Mini Electric
30 Nov 2023

Most Popular

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland is an ideal family SUV for £210 per month
Vauxhall Grandland front cornering
News

Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland is an ideal family SUV for £210 per month

Vauxhall’s largest SUV can be had for the same price as most superminis, making it our Deal of the Day for 1 December
1 Dec 2023