"Renault Korea's Busan plant serves as a production base that can cover other continents and every market through Renault's diverse lineup."
Fabrice Cambolive, Renault Group brand chief executive officer (CEO), met with domestic reporters at the Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the 13th and said, "There is significant volatility in exports due to issues such as the tariff, and it is important to minimize risk while building the capability to cover the globe." He added, "An efficient response is to leverage a broad lineup, and the export scope of models produced in Busan is very wide."
Within Renault Group, the Busan plant is a strategic outpost linking the Asian and North American markets. The Polestar 4 to be exported to the United States and Canada is produced at the Busan plant. However, exports to North America have slowed due to the tariff impact of the Donald Trump U.S. administration. Cambolive's remarks are seen as an intention to respond to the crisis by using the Busan plant, which produces various models, to broaden export channels worldwide.
In addition to the Polestar 4, the Busan plant is also making the Filante and Grand Koleos for export to seven Middle Eastern countries and nine South American countries, as well as the small SUV Arkana. Cambolive also hinted at the possibility of expanding the Busan plant.
He said, "(Renault Group) has a plan to add to the production lineup at the Busan plant," adding, "Because the Busan plant itself is flexible, there is a lot of room for development going forward." However, he said it has not been decided when and which model will be added.
Cambolive said, "We will watch the commercial performance of the Filante and others and decide accordingly," adding, "We have proven Renault's quality through the Grand Koleos, so we will pin our hopes on it."
Renault Group expects the Filante to create a sensation on par with the Grand Koleos. Cambolive said, "The Grand Koleos has about a 15%–20% share in its segment (midsize SUVs), and we expect the Filante to record a similar level in its own segment (large midsize SUVs)."
He added, "I think the Filante has everything that will amaze consumers, including Renault's innovations to move up to a higher segment," and "We will realize the growth achieved with the XM3 and Grand Koleos in the higher segment."
Renault Korea did not present specific sales targets, but it wants the Filante to establish itself as a flagship model that brings together advanced technology and innovative design. Renault Korea CEO Nicolas Paris said, "The Filante has a clear large midsize position," adding, "We focused on creating a comfortable interior space."
Renault Korea R&D center head Choi Seong-gyu said, "As this is the first year of launch, we will work on positioning, and our goal is to be recognized as an influential crossover." The localization rate of the Filante is around 60%.
Regarding Renault Korea's future car strategy, Paris said, "We maintain continued interest in autonomous vehicles and have a strong interest in new technologies," adding, "We will separately discuss our future technology vision and the lineup (to which it will be applied)."
Paris emphasized the importance of Korea in Renault's mid- to long-term strategy, "International Game Plan 2027." He said, "The collaboration strategy between Renault Group and Renault Korea is 'Born in France Made in Korea,'" adding, "The Filante is set to serve as a flagship vehicle in the International Game Plan 2027 and is a model designed with the characteristics of Korean consumers in mind." He added, "Going forward, Renault Korea will continue to play the role of a key market for Renault Group."