Source: Gasgoo
On May 23, Spanish media Expansion reported, citing Jose Martin Vega, head of industrial activities for Iberia, that Renault plans to increase its annual production of cars in Spain from 300,000 units in 2023 to 500,000 units, the pre-Covid-19 level.
Jose Martin Vega said that Renault Group will start production of the Rafale hybrid SUV in Spain as well as the Espace, Austral, Captur and Symbioz models. Renault has one plant in Palencia and one in Valladolid.
“Our plans depend on market conditions, but we are optimistic because with these five new models we should be able to return to pre-COVID-19 production levels,” said Vega.
A spokesman for Renault did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Image source: Renault
According to data released by Renault, in the first quarter of 2024, Renault sold 549,099 vehicles worldwide, an increase of 2.6% compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Regionally, Renault sold 391,490 vehicles in Europe in the first quarter, an increase of 4.3% year-on-year, maintaining its third position in the European market. Renault sold 31,805 units in Spain and the Canary Islands, an increase of 11.2%.
Separately, Renault Group Chief Executive Luca de Meo told Reuters on the sidelines of the Viva Tech summit in Paris that Renault and Volkswagen had ended talks to jointly develop an economical electric version of the Twingo.
“I want to show that European industry can work together as a team, so I think this is a lost opportunity, but there may be other opportunities,” Meo said.
