FuturGen Insight – Driving the electric revolution together with our partners in China
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As the automotive industry undergoes a profound transformation, Renault Group is accelerating by forging strong ties with China’s fast-paced innovation ecosystem. Philippe Brunet, Chief Technology Officer, Renault Group, tells us more on how to combine European engineering excellence with Chinese agility to bring affordable, cutting-edge electric vehicles to market faster than ever.
Tackling the challenges facing the automotive industry
Renault 5 and Renault 4 E-Tech electric, Alpine A 290 and A 390… In the last four years, we have managed to produce more flagship cars than ever. Leveraging on the expertise of our teams in Ampere, fully dedicated to the electric vehicle (EV) and software, we have succeeded in reaching the best European standards.
However, the environment remains particularly challenging for the automotive industry with increased regulatory changes, rapid technological breakthroughs, new customer habits and more competition.
Indeed, the benchmark in terms of competitiveness has shifted from Europe to China. This has prompt us to connect European engineering excellence with Chinese innovation and speed.
Setting a new tempo with our ACDC engineering center
We have opened a new chapter where China and France unite under one roof, blending local expertise with our global vision. Our Ampere China Development Center (ACDC) in Shanghai is at the heart of this collaboration. Launched in 2024, ACDC is designed to plug directly into China’s fast-moving EV ecosystem, accelerating time-to-market, scouting innovation, and building strategic partnerships.
It’s about acting local to deliver global impact.
Take the soon to be unveiled Twingo as an example. Born in France, developed in China, produced in Europe—and delivered in under two years. This is a car that brings together the right technologies at the right price for European customers.
And we are just getting started: our next Dacia A-segment EV will be developed even faster, in just 16 months following concept freeze.
How did we do it?
The ingredients for success lie in the very nature of ACDC. More than a R&D center, it’s a fully integrated team—procurement, costing, engineering—all working in parallel, validating in real time, and pushing boundaries. This is how we move fast, stay agile, and bring better, more sustainable technologies to market.
Connecting with key technological trends
Last July, we reached a new milestone with the launch of an investment fund in partnership with the Chinese bank CICC and leading Chinese partners. This fund, led by Ampere, targets breakthrough new energy vehicle (NEV) technologies such as batteries, autonomous driving, smart cockpits or embedded intelligence and connects financial strength with industrial vision.
Being close to the best innovators, learning with humility, and building strong partnerships is not just an option—it’s a must. We are right where the future of the automotive industry is being shaped: in the heart of the reactor.
This proximity gives us the ability to react faster, think differently, and deliver smarter solutions to our customers worldwide.
