Thrown fully into the electrical transition, Renault does not move away from heat engines. This is also at the center of the new strategy of the French group presented at the end of last year, with two entities, Ampère, to concentrate investments in zero-emission models, and Horse, its 50-50 subsidiary in thermal and hybrid engines. with Chinese Geely.
A first client-partner for “Renault Horse”
Renault has just announced the signing of an agreement with the Punch Torino group to supply 4-cylinder diesel engines for light commercial vehicles from other manufacturers, both in Europe and in the rest of the world.
“Under the terms of this agreement, Punch will be able to buy, use and sell Renault’s current and future 4-cylinder diesel engines,” specifies the press release issued on Tuesday, January 10.
Punch Torino, of the former subsidiary Fiat-GM Powertrain, is an engine specialist. The group will also be able to contribute to the development of these new “low emission” engines, whose production is scheduled to start in 2025. These new engines will then meet the new Euro 7 standard. This association will form an integral part of the Horse project, led by the manufacturer diamond and its Chinese partner Geely.
Guaranteed thermal production for Cléon
“The production of the engines for the partners’ needs will be based at Renault’s Cléon plant in Normandy, France,” adds Renault.
While the French group currently concentrates its activities related to electricity within its Electricity division in the north of France, Luca de Meo reassured last October about the future of this Normandy plant, which will also have to develop its motor production electrical.
The Cléon plant employs about 2,800 people and had produced in 2021, the latest data available, 336,662 units of thermal blocks and 190,409 electric motors. This site also produces gearboxes and other mechanical components for Dacia, Renault Samsung Motors and Nissan, under the Alliance, but also for Fiat and Daimler.
Source: BFM TV
