Ampere Douai: multi-brand electric expertise
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The Douai plant, transformed for all-electric production, competitive and flexible, has become the symbol of a reinvented French automotive industry. Nissan and Mitsubishi have entrusted it with their electric models, the Micra and the Eclipse Cross, which will be marketed throughout Europe. This strategic choice by the Alliance illustrates a win-win approach, partners betting on French expertise and Renault Group, with its Ampere ElectriCity hub, at the heart of the electric revolution.
A historic transformation toward all-electric production
Founded in 1970, the Douai plant has always embodied the excellence of the French automotive industry, producing iconic models such as Renault 5, Fuego, Espace and Scénic. But faced with the climate challenge and market transformations, the site took on a bold challenge: becoming a 100% electric factory. In 2021, over €550 million in investments enabled the installation of a new modular platform meeting Alliance standards (Alliance Standard Line) and the construction of a new workshop to assemble state-of-the-art batteries with advanced chemistry. Together with Maubeuge and Ruitz, Douai thus forms Ampere’s ElectriCity industrial hub.
This transformation is not only industrial, it is also human, as the site’s employees have been trained in electric technologies and new production methods. Their expertise now stands as a guarantee of quality and reliability for Renault, of course, and its renowned E-Tech electric range, but also for the other members of the Alliance.
Industrial strengths that make the difference
The Douai factory boasts numerous unique advantages in Europe, thanks in particular to its modularity, which maximizes efficiency and reduces costs:
- Exceptional flexibility: the same assembly line can produce up to eight different models for four brands (Renault, Alpine, Nissan and Mitsubishi).
- A competitive ecosystem: thanks to the proximity of suppliers (two-thirds of whom are located within 300 kilometers), logistical and environmental costs are optimized. “Made in France” serving competitiveness.
“For the first time in its history, and in less than 18 months, Douai is manufacturing six vehicles for four different brands on a single production line, with a high level of quality and precision, among them three Car of the Year models (Scénic in 2024, R5 and Alpine A290 in 2025).”
Pierre-Emmanuel Andrieux
Director of the Douai plant
This success is built on the commitment and pride of the teams, whose adaptability has made Ampere Douai a benchmark in Europe.
Nissan and Mitsubishi: a win-win choice for the future
This year, Douai is producing the upcoming all-electric Nissan Micra and the new all-electric Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, both scheduled for market launch by the end of 2025. These vehicles have been developed on Ampere’s modular platforms: AmpR Small (Micra) and AmpR Medium (Eclipse Cross).
This Alliance strategy follows a win-win logic:
- For Nissan and Mitsubishi, it ensures access to the latest technological innovations, a competitive industrial tool and teams with strong expertise in electric mobility.
- For Renault Group and Ampere, it represents international recognition of French industrial know-how, a strong local footprint and sustained employment.
“At Ampere Douai, flexibility is our strength. Our modular platforms and agile production lines are designed to adapt, evolve and deliver.”
Thierry Charvet
Chief Industry, Quality & Supply Chain Officer at Renault Group
The all-electric Nissan Micra continues the legacy of its predecessors (over 6 million units sold in more than 100 countries over the past 40 years) by reinventing itself as a modern electric city car. Meanwhile, the all-electric Eclipse Cross marks a first: Mitsubishi has never before produced a vehicle in France and this is the brand’s first fully electric model in Europe.
“The choice of Douai is a strong recognition: our site embodies Renault Group’s industrial transformation toward 100% electric, driven by Ampere, its subsidiary dedicated to electric mobility… We have the know-how, expertise and capability to produce innovative, competitive and desirable vehicles, supported by an agile, flexible and digitalized organization.”
Anne-Catherine Brieux
Director of Industrial Operations for Ampere and Alpine
With the vehicles produced in Douai, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance once again demonstrates the strength of its cooperation, creating shared value. This win-win partnership actively contributes to accelerating the transition toward sustainable and electric mobility in Europe.
