Renault revealed that it plans to launch a new South Korean-made battery electric vehicle (BEV), featuring advanced driver-assistance technologies, in 2028, as the French automaker steps up its global electrification transition.

Renault executives discussed the company’s plans for South Korea at the 2026 Paris Motor Show this week, saying the automaker also plans to introduce a new hybrid model to its South Korean line-up in 2027, ahead of the launch of the new BEV the following year.

Renault Korea’s global sales plunged by 32% to 47,231 units in the first nine months of 2026, with local sales dropping by 32% to 27,203 units despite the recent launch of the Filante hybrid SUV, while exports were also down by 32% to 20,028 units. The new models are aimed mainly at increasing exports from its plant in Busan, as well as supporting local sales.

Renault’s director of global sales and operations, Ivan Segal, confirmed that South Korea “is a very important and strategic market for us," but pointed out that the company needs to broaden its lineup beyond its existing hybrid models.

Segal described its Busan plant as one of the company’s most competitive manufacturing sites for C- and D-segment vehicles globally. The aim is to scale up production and exports to make the plant a major global manufacturing hub.

Renault 's chief technology officer, Philippe Brunet, confirmed that the new BEV model will be equipped with advanced systems featuring smart technologies, including Level 2++ autonomous driving, as part of the company’s broader push to integrate artificial intelligence into its vehicles. The automaker is also developing its in-house urban navigation-assisted driving system, known as City NOA.