Renault will assemble the Shanghai e-Drive electric motor to be used in the Twingo E-Tech model in the French automaker’s Cléon plant from Spring 2027.
The Chinese unit — coded E2D23 — will also power electric vehicles (EV) from other Renault Group‘s brands, including Dacia and Mitsubishi.
The factory located in the Normandy region has the capacity to produce up to 120,000 units each year, according to the French media outlet L’Argus.
The automaker had previously cooperated with Shanghai e-Drive and other Chinese partners to develop the compact urban EV in only two years and sell it at a starting price of €19,490 — equivalent to $23,000.
The new fully electric model debuted last month at the Brussels Motor Show.
As the E2D23 unit will be assembled using only components supplied by Shanghai e-Drive, the CGT union demonstrated a nuanced view of the collaboration.
“Regarding activity, CGT Renault Ampere Cléon can only express satisfaction. However, regarding employment, management has announced no new hires for this project,” the organization stated.
The union also expressed concern that assigning 140 employees to manufacture the Chinese motor full-time would reduce production of the 6AK unit used in the R5 and R4 compact city cars, which “employs many more workers.”
Cléon Plant Background
Since opening in 1958, Renault’s Cléon plant has played a key role in the company’s history.
In the early 1960s, the Sierra engine block — or “Cléon cast-iron” engine — was created and produced in the site.
The equipment first powered the Renault Floride (later named “Caravelle”) and the R8 models, and was even used in the first Twingo model in 1993.
Since 2015, the factory has been shifting toward electrification, notably producing the 5AX motors for the fully electric Zoe subcompact hatchback.
In addition to the 6AK unit, the Cléon plant currently produces the 6AM unit used in the Mégane E-Tech and Alpine A290, as well as the 7DL dual-motor system fitted to the rear axle of the Alpine A390.
Ampere EV Unit Closure
Last month, Reuters reported that Renault Group will close its Ampere electric vehicle (EV) and software unit on July 1, three years after its creation.
The French Confederation of Management – General Confederation of Executives (CFE-CGC) union defended that “simplifying the organization of Ampere was necessary and expected.”
Renault Sales
Last year, Renault Group registered 2,336,807 vehicles across all powertrains, increasing 3.2% compared to 2024.
New-energy vehicles (NEV) represented a quarter of the group’s overall 2025 deliveries, including approximately 400,000 hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and 194,000 battery-electric vehicles (BEV).
The figures marked a year-over-year jump of 76.7% for fully electric units and of 35.1% for hybrids.
Of the annual sales result across the Group, 1,628,030 vehicles were from the main Renault brand.
Last year, the automaker listed 287,000 hybrid vehicles, with a 38.4% market share.
Hybrid figures rose by 17% compared to 2024.
A total of 151,939 fully electric vehicles were delivered — a 72.2% year-over-year surge.
Currently, BEVs represent 20.2% of Renault‘s passenger car sales.
This year, Renault Group plans to launch revamped versions and new models of its internal combustion and electric lineup in Europe.
Besides the Twingo E-Tech, Renault is planning to roll out the new Clio and Renault 4 E-Tech.
