FRANCE / RankWire.AI / – Renault Group announced on October 3 that it intends to invest more than €10 billion in France over the next five years, according to Chief Executive François Provost. The focus of this capital infusion will be on electric vehicles and making cars more affordable. In 2025, Renault’s manufacturing in France reached approximately 500,000 vehicles, with expectations of at least a 25% increase in domestic production in 2026. Provost emphasized that this investment hinges on the stability of social and political conditions in France. The move signifies a further shift by the automaker toward electric manufacturing at its French facilities.
Since 2021, Renault has committed €13 billion to transforming its French sites and electric vehicle operations. In July, the company noted that it had surpassed one million electric vehicles designed and produced in France since 2010, with around 600,000 of those produced at ElectriCity, its electric industrial hub located in northern France. Renault employs nearly 39,000 people across the country, and its French activities are said to support roughly 35,000 indirect jobs within the supplier network.
The company’s manufacturing network in France includes assembly plants in Douai, Maubeuge, Dieppe, Batilly, and Sandouville. Supporting electric vehicle production are mechanical and industrial facilities in Cléon, Ruitz, Le Mans, and Flins. Renault states that each French site plays a role in its electric transition; for example, Douai produces the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, while Maubeuge assembles the Renault 4 E-Tech electric. Additionally, the company manufactures electric light commercial vehicles at Maubeuge, Sandouville, and Batilly.
Record Market Share for Electric Vehicles in France
In September, electric cars accounted for a record 42% of new passenger car registrations in France. The month saw 156,629 new passenger car registrations, representing an approximate 12% increase compared to the same period last year. Battery electric vehicles made up about 31% of registrations during the first nine months of 2026, a significant rise from around 18% in the previous year. Hybrid vehicles held a 43% share in September, slightly surpassing fully electric models.
The anticipated rise in Renault’s production coincides with a notable increase in electric vehicle registrations across France. In July, Renault announced plans for an additional €13 billion investment in France under its futuREady plan, contingent upon suitable conditions. This follows the €13 billion invested since 2021. Provost’s latest remarks suggest that over the next five years, Renault’s investment in France will exceed €10 billion. This latest figure reflects the company’s current five-year investment commitment in the country.
Expansion of Renault’s Electric Manufacturing in France
By July 2026, ElectriCity’s plants in Douai and Maubeuge had produced a total of 600,000 electric vehicles. The Renault 5 E-Tech electric model surpassed 100,000 units produced by the end of 2025. Maubeuge also manufactures the Renault 4 E-Tech electric. Renault’s electric commercial vehicle lineup includes models such as Kangoo, Trafic Van, and Master E-Tech, all assembled in France. Between 2022 and 2025, ElectriCity created 700 permanent jobs, with an additional 550 temporary workers added at Douai by July.
The planned investment continues a broader effort to enhance Renault’s electric vehicle manufacturing capacity in France. Since 2021, the company has allocated €13 billion toward its domestic electric vehicle supply chain. Its 2026 production forecast aims for at least a 25% increase from the approximately 500,000 vehicles produced in France last year. Provost highlighted that the latest commitment will prioritize electric vehicles and more affordable options. This announcement coincides with battery electric cars achieving their highest monthly market share in the French new-car market to date.