Renault Korea said it will unveil an electrified model every year through 2029. It plans to launch a software-defined vehicle (SDV) in 2027 and a next-generation electric vehicle in 2028. By shortening new-car development time to within two years and securing technology leadership, it aims to become the brand that consumers in Korea choose first.
Nicolas Paris, CEO of Renault Korea, held a media roundtable on the 14th at the Grand Hyatt in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and said, "We will introduce vehicles with clear clout in the Korean market," adding, "We will present vehicles that every consumer can be proud to have chosen over Hyundai Motor and Kia." Paris, a procurement expert who joined Renault Group in 2015, was appointed CEO of Renault Korea in July last year.
Paris on the day unveiled Renault Korea's mid- to long-term plan aligned with Renault Group's "Future Ready" strategy. First, to ensure steady growth, it plans to launch one electrified model each year through 2029. Renault Group has decided that by 2030, 50% of new cars will be hybrids and the remaining 50% will be electric vehicles, and Renault Korea will follow this direction.
In 2028, it will produce Renault Group's next-generation electric vehicles at the Busan plant and roll them out in the domestic market. Paris said, "There is no clearly finalized plan for the next-generation electric vehicles, and we are keeping all options open while discussing them with the group," adding, "What is certain is that the Busan plant will focus on the C (compact), D (midsize) and E (large) segments."
It will also bolster its technological competitiveness. To that end, Paris said, "We will officially launch a fully fledged SDV in 2027," adding, "It will be a fundamental turning point that allows vehicles to continue evolving over time." The SDV is expected to lead to Level 2++ autonomous driving technology that allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel in cities and on highways, and to the realization of an artificial intelligence–centric vehicle (AIDV).
Paris said, "AIDV is a vehicle that predicts the needs of occupants and converses with them," explaining, "If you pass a historical site while driving, it will address the occupants' questions about it, and if there is time, ask whether they want to stop by, and then guide them to a nearby parking lot if so." A feature that enables conversations with AI has already been partially applied to the Filante released early this year.
It will also shorten the development period from deciding on a new-car concept to the start of production to within two years. Paris said, "Renault Group moves after mastering all technologies in Europe, but Renault Korea is different," adding, "Instead of developing new technologies from scratch, we will find the right partners and leverage technologies optimized for Renault Korea and the Korean market."
To expand production at the Busan plant, it also plans to seek export channels. Paris said, "It is not easy to operate at the current maximum annual capacity of 300,000 units, and it is achievable when exports take the lead," adding, "Due to recent geopolitical risks and trade protectionism, exports are not easy, and because Renault Group has not entered the North American market, it is true that sales channels for the D and E segments, which are Renault Korea's main products, are limited."
However, Paris added, "The Grand Koleos is receiving good responses in South America and is also being exported to the Middle East. We will seek opportunities to create new markets such as Australia and Japan," and "There are no plans at present to export the Grand Koleos and the Filante to Europe, but we can pursue it through the group."