Renault is welcoming this week’s announcement by the French government of its automotive support plan designed in part, to offset the impact of PSA Peugeot Citroen’s massive job cuts proposals
The most eye-catching of a raft of stimulus measures was the increase in EV grants from EUR5,000 (US$6,100) to EUR7,000 and for hybrid vehicles to a maximum of EUR4,000 – including company cars.
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Subsidies will be available up to the end of this year, with the French budget proposals for 2013 due to examine the issue again.
“Renault welcomes the government’s determination to support the French automotive industry,” said the automaker’s chairman and CEO, Carlos Ghosn.
“The Group is especially pleased with the strong gesture made in favour of clean vehicles, and electric vehicles in particular.”
The manufacturer claims it is Europe’s leader in electric vehicle sales and that it is the only carmaker to market a complete range of four electric vehicles: Kangoo ZE, Fluence ZE, Twizy and Zoe.
With the production of Zoe at the French sites of Flins and Kangoo ZE at Maubeuge, 80% of the electric vehicles sold worldwide by Renault will be produced in France in 2015.
The third-generation electric motor will be produced at Cléon starting in 2013. The Renault-Nissan Alliance has invested EUR4bn in electric vehicles.
PSA’s cost reduction plan is looking to eliminate up to 8,000 jobs in France and close its C3- producing Aulany plant near Paris.
