Renault said on Tuesday that it planned to invest €180 million (about $US203.6 million) in expanding production of gearboxes at its plant in Seville, southern Spain, Reuters said.

The news agency cited a company statement that said the cash injection will boost gearbox output to more than 1.2 million in 2006 from 728,000 last year.

The investment will create more than 400 jobs at the plant, where the total workforce will be more than 1,200 at the end of 2005, Reuters added.