FRANCE / RankWire.AI / – Renault Group announced on October 3 that it will allocate over €10 billion to its operations in France over the next five years, according to Chief Executive François Provost. The company’s spending plan emphasizes electric vehicles and the development of more budget-friendly cars. In 2025, Renault manufactured approximately 500,000 vehicles within France, with expectations of at least a 25% increase in domestic production in 2026. Provost highlighted that this investment is contingent upon stable social and political conditions in the country. The move further underscores Renault’s ongoing shift toward electric manufacturing at its French facilities.
Since 2021, Renault has invested €13 billion in France to upgrade its manufacturing sites and expand its electric vehicle operations. In July, the automaker announced that it had surpassed one million electric vehicles designed and produced in France since 2010. Approximately 600,000 of these were manufactured at ElectriCity, its electric industrial hub located in northern France. Renault employs close to 39,000 individuals within the country, and claims that its French operations support around 35,000 indirect jobs across its supplier network.
The French manufacturing network comprises assembly plants located in Douai, Maubeuge, Dieppe, Batilly, and Sandouville. Supporting electric vehicle production are mechanical and industrial facilities situated in Cléon, Ruitz, Le Mans, and Flins. Renault states that each French site contributes to its electric transition, with Douai producing the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, and Maubeuge manufacturing the Renault 4 E-Tech electric. The group also produces electric light commercial vehicles in Maubeuge, Sandouville, and Batilly.
Record High Market Share for Electric Vehicles in France
In September, electric cars represented 42% of new passenger car registrations in France, marking a record monthly share. During that month, France registered 156,629 new passenger vehicles, reflecting an approximate 12% increase compared to the same period last year. Battery electric vehicles accounted for about 31% of registrations during the first nine months of 2026, up from roughly 18% a year earlier. Meanwhile, hybrid models maintained a 43% share in September, just slightly ahead of fully electric cars.
The anticipated growth in Renault’s production coincides with a notable rise in electric vehicle registrations across France. In July, Renault indicated plans for an additional €13 billion investment in France under its futuREady strategy, subject to favorable conditions. This announcement follows the €13 billion already invested since 2021. Provost’s recent remarks suggest that the company’s planned investment over the next five years exceeds €10 billion, encompassing Renault’s current five-year commitment to French manufacturing.
Expansion of Renault’s Electric Manufacturing Footprint in France
By July 2026, ElectriCity’s facilities in Douai and Maubeuge had produced a total of 600,000 electric vehicles. The Renault 5 E-Tech electric model surpassed 100,000 units manufactured by the end of 2025. Additionally, Maubeuge produces the Renault 4 E-Tech electric. Renault’s electric commercial vehicle lineup, which includes Kangoo, Trafic Van, and Master E-Tech models, is assembled in France. The company reported creating 700 permanent jobs at ElectriCity between 2022 and 2025, alongside an increase of 550 temporary workers at Douai by July.
This investment initiative builds upon a broader period of capital allocation toward Renault’s French manufacturing infrastructure. Since 2021, the company has channeled €13 billion into its domestic electric vehicle supply chain. Its 2026 production outlook aims for at least a 25% increase from the roughly 500,000 vehicles produced in France last year. Provost emphasized that the latest commitment will prioritize electric vehicles and more affordable options. The announcement arrives as battery electric cars maintain their highest monthly share to date within the French new-car market.