Renault still invests in internal combustion engines

French manufacturer renault is set to continue investing in internal combustion engines (ICE) after being forced to transition to electrification in European markets later in the decade.

After breaking up its business into separate units – Horse, Ampere, Alpine and Mobilization and the Neutral recycling business – Renault is planning to develop fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the future. current time.

While Ampere will take care of electric vehicles and Alpine will remain performance-oriented, even as it transitions to the EV brand, the ‘Horse’ division will invest significantly in the development of the future-generation ICE.

Renault Australia boss Glen Sealey says auto expert Electric cars still have a while before becoming affordable.

“The way we look at it, we see an ICE, we see an electric Renault and we see LCV Renault and we also have Alpine. So today the internal combustion engine vehicles will include Koleos, Captur, Arkana and then we want to add more but that needs to come from the Horse projects,” Mr. Sealey said.

“Then there are the more expensive Renault EVs, which are 75 thousand [for a Megane E-Tech Electric]The concept that electric cars will be cheaper I’ve never seen.

“The reason we want to keep ICE as well as develop electric vehicles is that mobility is still available, for someone who lives in a small apartment and can’t charge their electric car and can only afford 35,000 do… will they walk to work? They need mobility or they are forced to use old used cars.”

Internal combustion vehicles will also be suitable for growing markets in Africa, China and the Middle East.

“There’s no question that an EV is much more expensive than an ICE and people in the lower classes still have a need for mobility, so we think that’s important,” Mr Sealey said.

Having said that, the future of cars like Koleos It’s still unclear with the current model going into production in a few years, no word yet on the next generation.

The Korean-built SUV is effectively being replaced in Europe by a new, more SUV-like SUV spacebut will continue with the current guise in other markets.

However, Renault Korea Motors is getting new products, with the company revealing Its first Geely-based model at the end of last year, after the Chinese automaker acquired a third stake in Renault Korea Motors.

The unnamed crossover coupe will be “designed, developed and manufactured in Korea” and will use a hybrid powertrain.

Renault says it will launch an all-new hybrid lineup in the D-segment “based on the latest Geely-Volvo technologies for both the domestic and export markets starting in 2024”.

However, the Geely and Renault partnership goes beyond a simple platform sharing agreement.

Renault’s production of hybrid and internal combustion powertrains will be part of the plan Venturewhere both it and Geely will have a 50% equity stake.

The framework agreement is expected to be formally implemented in 2023 and the joint venture will also supply powertrains to Renault’s Alliance partners Nissan and Mitsubishi.

The two automakers estimate that, with their combined product portfolio and regional footprint, their joint venture can provide solutions for 80% of the global internal combustion engine market.

Renault and Geely plan to build 17 powertrain plants spread across three continents with a total staff of 19,000.

The new company will have a total production capacity of more than five million internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains and powertrains per year.

“Hybrid engine technology and ICE will remain an important part of the automotive supply chain for decades to come. We will be able to deliver best-in-class powertrain and electrification solutions to many OEM brands worldwide, unlocking the market potential for this low-emission technology,” said Director. Renault executive Luca de Meo said.

Renault says hybrids and internal combustion engines will still account for 50% of passenger car sales worldwide by 2040.