Trafic-based Mitsubishi to join French exports here
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has flagged intriguing moves on the van front, with a new Kangoo in the wings and Trafic underpinnings destined to take a Mitsubishi badge.
Alliance chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn furnishes the clues when revealing an expansion of its French production capacities in in Maubeuge and Sandouville.
It is part of the Alliance 2022 strategic plan that aims to double annual synergies to €10 billion (A$15.7 billion) by accelerating collaboration on common platforms and common production facilities.
The Maubeuge plant will serve as the manufacturing hub for the next-generation Renault Kangoo family, which includes electric versions.
Groupe Renault is investing €450 million for Kangoo production over five years and, next year, 200 workers will be hired to support the van expansion.
The Nissan NV250, a new small van based on the current Renault Kangoo platform, will also be produced at Maubeuge, starting in mid-year.
The plan will eventually see Mitsubishi source a vehicle on the same platform as the Renault Trafic, built in Renault’s Sandouville plant, for markets in Australia and New Zealand.
And, as stated in their recent joint press conference in Paris, the Alliance and Daimler are reaffirming their partnership. Renault currently produces the Mercedes Citan van at the Maubeuge plant.
Read the test drives of the Trafic Crew and the updated Kangoo Compact, here
In the presence of French president Emmanuel Macron, Ghosn announced these new investments in France.
They toured the plant and met with employees and also visited the plant’s advanced training centre.
“Groupe Renault’s global van expertise is driving synergies across the Alliance to benefit all our customers,” Ghosn says.
“The Maubeuge and Sandouville plants provided the most attractive solution thanks to their competitiveness and ability to leverage Alliance common platforms.
“This year, Groupe Renault has announced a total investment in France of €1.4 billion to support two pillars of growth: pure electric and light commercial vehicles.”
Details on the Australian impact of these changes have been sought from Renault.