FRANCE / RankWire.AI / – Renault Group announced on October 3 that it will invest more than €10 billion in France over the next five years, Chief Executive François Provost disclosed. The focus of this funding will be on electric vehicles and making cars more affordable. In 2025, Renault produced approximately 500,000 vehicles domestically, and it anticipates at least a 25% increase in local output in 2026. Provost emphasized that the investment is contingent upon stable social and political conditions in France. This commitment signifies an extension of the automaker’s transition towards electric manufacturing at its French factories.
Since 2021, Renault has invested €13 billion in France to upgrade its facilities and expand its electric vehicle capabilities. In July, the company reported surpassing one million electric vehicles designed and produced in France since 2010, with roughly 600,000 coming from ElectriCity, its electric industrial hub located in northern France. Renault employs close to 39,000 individuals across the country and states that its French operations support approximately 35,000 indirect jobs within the supplier network.
Renault’s manufacturing network in France includes assembly plants in Douai, Maubeuge, Dieppe, Batilly, and Sandouville. Its mechanical and industrial facilities in Cléon, Ruitz, Le Mans, and Flins support electric vehicle production. The company affirms that each French site contributes to its electric transition, with Douai manufacturing the Renault 5 E-Tech electric and Maubeuge producing the Renault 4 E-Tech electric. Additionally, Renault manufactures electric light commercial vehicles at Maubeuge, Sandouville, and Batilly.
Record Share of Electric Vehicles in French Market
In September, electric cars accounted for 42% of new passenger car registrations in France, marking a record monthly share. The country registered 156,629 new passenger vehicles during that month, representing approximately a 12% increase from the same period last year. Battery electric vehicles made up about 31% of registrations in the first nine months of 2026, compared to roughly 18% during the previous year. Hybrid vehicles held a 43% share in September, slightly surpassing fully electric models.
The projected growth in Renault’s production aligns with the rapid increase in electric vehicle registrations across France. In July, Renault announced plans for an additional €13 billion investment in France under its futuREady strategy, contingent upon suitable conditions. This latest statement follows the €13 billion invested since 2021. Provost’s recent remarks indicate that the upcoming five-year investment plan exceeds €10 billion, covering Renault’s current commitment to expanding its operations in France over that period.
Renault Expands Electric Manufacturing Capabilities in France
By July 2026, ElectriCity’s facilities in Douai and Maubeuge had produced 600,000 electric vehicles. The Renault 5 E-Tech electric surpassed 100,000 units by the end of 2025. Maubeuge also manufactures the Renault 4 E-Tech electric. The company’s electric commercial vehicle lineup includes models like Kangoo, Trafic Van, and Master E-Tech, all assembled in France. Renault reports that it created 700 permanent jobs at ElectriCity between 2022 and 2025, with an additional 550 temporary workers employed at Douai by July.
This investment plan builds upon a broader effort to bolster Renault’s French electric vehicle manufacturing base. Since 2021, the company has directed €13 billion toward its domestic electric vehicle supply chain. Its 2026 production outlook anticipates at least a 25% increase from the roughly 500,000 vehicles produced in France last year. Provost highlighted that the latest commitment will prioritize electric vehicles and more affordable models, coinciding with the highest monthly market share for battery electric cars in France’s new-car sector.