Renault and Geely will launch joint powertrain technology company
The new company, which may be headquartered in the UK, will include 17 engine plants and 5 R&D centers in 3 continents with 19,000 employees in a full fledge effective organization strategically structured to provide powertrain solutions for multiples OEMs. Also in the light commercial vehicle sector.
Renault Group and Geely signed a joint venture agreement, with each entity holding 50% stake in the new company, which will operate in next-generation hybrid and highly efficient powertrain solutions. As announced on March 2, 2023, the new company will include 17 engine plants and 5 R&D centers in 3 continents with 19,000 employees in a full fledge effective organization strategically structured to provide powertrain solutions for multiples OEMs.
The joint venture company aims to have an annual production capacity up to five million internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines and transmissions per year. Also, Aramco is evaluating a strategic investment in this new powertrain technology company. Aramco’s investment would support the growth of the company and contribute to key research and development across synthetic fuels solutions and next-gen hydrogen technologies.
The new headquarters may be in the UK
The joint venture will be jointly led by Renault Group and Geely, with equal board members to formulate and execute strategies and set the direction for the joint venture. As for the new company’s logistics, two operational centers will be in charge of the respective operations. Madrid for Renault Group and Hangzhou Bay for Geely. An executive team will be based in the headquarters of the new company, which is intended to be established in the UK.
At launch, the new company is expected to supply multiple industrial customers including Renault Group, Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Proton, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors Company, and Punch Torino. In the future, the joint venture will be capable of providing end to end solutions in powertrain technologies to third-party car brands and will welcome partners to further strengthen the value chain. Renault will procure powertrains from the joint venture for light commercial vehicles as well as the development of hybrid batteries.
Statements from Renault and Geely
“Facing today’s automotive challenges, no one can claim to have all the solutions, alone. Coming up with breakthrough innovations requires to combine expertise and assets. When it comes about the global race for decarbonizing road transports, there is no time to lose, and it will not be business as usual. Today, we are proud to join forces with a great company like Geely to set up a new player, up to the challenge, able to disrupt the game and open the way for ultra-low emissions ICE technologies”, commented Luca de Meo, CEO Renault Group.
“We are pleased to be embarking on this journey to become a global leader in hybrid technologies, providing low-emission solutions for automakers around the world. We are looking forward to working with Luca de Meo and his Renault team. With this agreement, we reiterate our commitment to leveraging our group-wide technological expertise and brand portfolio to pioneer the journey to greater sustainability and value creation which will lead to better consumer experiences”, added Eric Li, Geely Holding Group Chairman.
