Barely two years after it began building the electric version of the Fluence sedan, Renault has quietly ceased doing so, a company spokesman has told just-auto.com.
Production of this plug-in C segment sedan took place at OYAK-Renault’s plant in the Turkish city of Bursa. The Fluence Z.E. went down the same line as combustion engine Fluences, which continue to be made.
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While sales in European markets were small, this was not the only reason for the end of the plug-in Fluence. Renault designed the car primarily for the Israeli and Danish markets and had high hopes for its partnership with Better Place. The Silicon Valley-based firm was contracted to install national networks of quick-change battery swap stations as well as fast-charging posts. Better Place declared bankruptcy in May 2013 having completed the installation of far fewer recharging places than had originally been envisaged.
Production of the electric Fluence ceased in mid-November, Renault’s spokesman told just-auto, but the car will live on. Production of a slightly modified variant by RSM continues. Renault Samsung revealed a Fluence Z.E. with a new front end at the Busan motor show in May 2012, and this model, the Samsung SM3 Z.E., has been built at RSM’s Busan plant since October 2013.
Author: Glenn Brooks
