Target of 400,000 vehicles produced by Renault in Douai by 2030 – Difficult to achieve
- 说明
Target of 400,000 vehicles produced by Renault in Douai by 2030 – Difficult to achieve
- The Renault plant in Douai (Hauts de France) is now dedicated to the production of battery electric vehicles.
- Two years ago, Renault announced an ambitious target of producing 400,000 electric cars at the Douai site by 2030. The production program then included the Renault Mégane E-Tech, the Renault Scénic E-Tech, as well as the future Renault 5 E-Tech, Alpine A290, and Nissan Micra EV, the latter two models being based on the Renault 5 E-Tech.
- In 2024, the Douai plant produced 89,921 electric cars (compared to 50,781 in 2023), including 30,260 Mégane E-Techs, 34,282 Scénic E-Techs and 25,379 R5 E-Techs. From 2023 to 2024, production increased by 40,000 units.
- At this rate, i.e. 40,000 more units produced each year, we should approach 330,000 units produced in 2030, a figure lower but relatively close to the target of 400,000 units produced.
- But is such a growth rate can be maintained? In fact, it seems difficult to sustain. The Mégane and Scénic are not expected to make significant progress after 2025. And only one new model is planned for 2026 to boost Douai production: the Nissan Micra EV. The Renault 5 E-Tech will therefore have the task of filling up to saturate the plant's activity. Given these factors, Inovev is counting on only 200,000 cars produced in Douai (all models combined) in 2030, half of the announced targets.
Toyota Group presents the Toyota BZ7 and Lexus ES
- 说明
Toyota Group presents the Toyota BZ7 and Lexus ES
Toyota and Lexus have unveiled their new E-segment sedans, the Toyota BZ7 and Lexus ES. They will be available in China from 2025 and in other global markets from 2026.
1. The Lexus ES continues the brand line of E-segment sedans derived from the Toyota Camry.
• The new generation now measures 5.14 m (+16 cm compared to the previous one) and its shapes are more fluid than in the past.
• Like the previous generation models, it will be available as a full hybrid (F-HEV). But, unlike the previous generation, it will be offered as a battery electric (BEV). No purely thermal version is available in either the previous or the new generation.
• The car weighs 1,840 kg for the 2.0 hybrid version, 1,940 kg for the 2.5 hybrid version and 2,240 kg for the electric version. Its platform is known as TNGA-GA-K.
2. The Toyota BZ7 is an E-segment sedan derived from the Lexus ES, which could anticipate the future Camry.
• But this new model is only offered in a battery electric version, which was never the case with the Camry .
• Designed on the TNGA-GA-K platform, it is the fifth battery electric model from the Toyota brand, after the BZ3, BZ3X, BZ4X and BZ5 (the BZ being sedans, the BZX being SUVs).
• Specially designed for the Chinese market, it was developed by Toyota and its Chinese partner GAC Group.
• It takes on the imposing dimensions and weight of the Lexus ES and aims to consolidate Toyota's position in the Chinese market.
Toyota sold 1,516,000 cars in China in 2024, down 13.4% from 2023. In the first quarter of 2025, Toyota reversed the trend by selling 320,000 cars in China, up 10% from the first quarter of 2024.
Li Auto is the leader of REEVs in China in Q1-2025
- 说明
Li Auto is the leader of REEVs in China in Q1-2025
- A REEV, or Range Extender Electric Vehicle, is a type of hybrid that primarily drives using an electric motor and includes a small internal combustion engine (ICE) to recharge the battery when it is low. Unlike traditional hybrids, the ICE in REEVs does not directly power the wheels but acts solely as a generator, extending the electric driving range. REEVs can also plugged in directly to chargers in addition.
- China's REEV market has seen mixed growth in 2025. TotalREEVs production reached 224,359 units, a modest increase from 211,111 units in the same period in 2024 — about +6.3% year-over-year growth. While some carmakers experienced significant growth, others saw declining volumes, indicating a competitive and transitional phase in the segment as consumer preferences and government policies continue evolving.
- Lixiang Automotive (or Li Auto) remains the dominant REEV producer with 103,096 units YTD, up 7.8% from last year. It holds a market share of approximately 45.9%. SeresMotor follows with 44,982 units, but saw a significant decline of -45.4%. Chang’anAuto and Leapmotor showed healthy double-digit growth, while Chery Auto entered with modest volumes (1,842 units YTD). This distribution highlights Lixiang's stronghold but also reflects rising competition and potential future realignments in market leadership.
- The Lixiang L6, L7, L8, and L9 series dominate the top of the chart:LixiangL6 leads with 51,580 units YTD. LixiangL7 and L9 show stable performance, with L7 down to 24,189 units (from 38,785, -37.6%), while L9 fell to 14,061 units (-54.9%). SeresAITO M9 and M7 also rank among top models, with M9 at 22,466 units and M7 at 13,333 units, though both showed a decline.
Evolution of global automobile production since 1900: the exceptional rise of China
- 说明
Evolution of global automobile production since 1900: the exceptional rise of China
- The volume of global automobile production has steadily increased since the end of World War II, climbing from 0 to 90 million vehicles (PC+LCV) from 1945 to 2024.
- This upward curve was, however, interrupted by small crises and by larger crises such as the first oil shock (1973/1974), the second oil shock (1979/1980), the financial crisis of 2008/2009 and the Covid crisis (2020). In 2023 and 2024, the curve stagnates at 90 million units, whereas 95 million units were reached in the years 2016/2017/2018.
- Are we witnessing the beginning of a stagnation in global automobile production, or will it gradually increase to reach 100 million units? This is the question that must be asked.
- While global automobile production (passenger cars and light utility vehicles) has continued to grow from 1945 to 2018, the relative position of countries has changed significantly.
- The USA was the main producer until 1960.
- Europe became the equal of the USA in the 1960s before supplanting them.
- Japan emerged in the 1970s and became the equal of the USA in the 1980s and 1990s.
- At the same time, emerging countries are starting their automobile production in earnest.
- We observe a stagnation or even a slow decline in the USA, Europe and Japan from the year 2000, in the face of the progress of emerging countries like India and Korea, but especially China which is experiencing rapid and exponential growth unknown until then.
Renault and Nissan are distancing themselves but are still collaborating on some projects
- 说明
Renault and Nissan are distancing themselves but are still collaborating on some projects
- Renault and Nissan are increasingly distancing themselves, after having been partners in a strong Alliance for twenty years (1999-2019). The arrest of its CEO Carlos Ghosn in 2019 and his departure from the Alliance presidency marked the beginning of a separation between the two carmakers that has continued to amplify. Renault's current stake in Nissan currently stands at 35.71% (17.05% directly and 18.66% in a French trust of which Renault is a beneficiary). The situation could change, however, as Renault and Nissan are now only required to retain 10% of the other group's shares, with voting rights capped at 15%. Furthermore, Nissan could be released from its commitment to invest 600 million in Ampère (a decision expected at the end of May).
- This rebalancing thus led to:
• Dissolution of joint ventures: In 2023 and 2024, joint ventures created within the framework of the alliance, such as those linked to purchasing or production, were gradually dissolved.
• Asset recovery in India: Renault took over full control of the Chennai plant in India in 2025, which was previously a joint venture with Nissan. This allows Renault to produce its own models independently.
- Some joint projects, such as the Nissan version of the Renault 5 E-Tech and the future Renault Twingo E-Tech, nevertheless remain current.
- These different stages marked the end of a major collaboration that began in 1999 and which allowed the two companies to share technologies and resources, and to become the world's leading carmaker for a time.