The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance unveils its 2030 strategy

Alliance 2030 Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi – Undermined under the Carlos Ghosn era, the alliance between the Renault group and its Japanese allies is trying to rebuilding oneself through appeasement, under the leadership of Jean-Dominique Senard, at the head of the board of directors of Losange, since 2019. A long-term work carried out in the shadows, for two years, which is materialized today by these announcements revealing the common strategy that will apply by 2030 with electrification as a priority.

« Among the world’s automotive leaders, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is a unique model that has proven itself. For twenty-two years, we have relied on our respective cultures and strengths for our common success. », said Jean-Dominique Senard. « Today, the Alliance is stepping up the pace to to hire a mobility revolution and bring more value to his clients, his collaborators, his shareholders and all I knows stakeholders. The three companies have defined a common roadmap for 2030, sharing investments in future electrification projects and connectivity. Massive investments that none of the three companies could make alone. Together, we are making a difference for a new sustainable and global future: the Alliance will become carbon neutral by 2050 ».

Amplified synergies

Among the strategic axes retained, the objective is in particular to strengthen the use of common platforms to reach 80% in 2026, on a range of 90 models planned within the 3 brands, when this share reaches only 60%, currently. It must be said that Mitsubishi has recently joined the Renault-Nissan Alliance and still has specific bases, which will need to be replaced. The Diamond firm notably announces the introduction of two new models, including a new ASX, medium term. This one should inherit the Renault Captur technical basis and its multiple hybrid blocks.

5 electric platforms

To achieve this, the three manufacturers intend to retain only 5 electric platforms. Decidedly, thermics no longer seem to be part of the group’s development plans.

• CMF-AEV, the most affordable platform on the market, today used for the Dacia Spring.
• KEI-EV, intended for ultra-compact electric vehicles, which Renault should not use. This is a base intended for Kei cars that are particularly fond of the Japanese market.
• LCV-EV, intended for professional customers, used for the Renault Kangoo and Nissan Town star.
• CMF-EV, the versatile electric platform will be on the road in a few weeks to equip Nissan Ariya and Renault Mégane E-Tech electric. It is the most emblematic of the Alliances with a high potential for modularity, going so far as to equip the future Alpine SUV. By 2030, more than 15 models will benefit from it, with up to 1.5 million cars produced per year on this platform.
• CMF– BEV, the most competitive compact electric platform on the market, will be launched in 2024. It offers up to 400 km of range; its aerodynamic performance is exceptional, reducing costs by 33% and electricity consumption by more than 10% compared to the current Renault ZOE. She will equip 250,000 vehicles per year under the brands Renault, Alpine, Nissan… but surprisingly not Mitsubishi. Among them, the Renault R5 and the new compact electric vehicle that will replace the Nissan Micra. Designed by Nissan and produced by Renault, the new model will be manufactured at Renault ElectriCity, the electrical industrial hub in northern France.

In this ecosystem entirely dedicated to electrification, the Alliance is already working with common partners to reduce the cost of batteries by 50% in 2026 and 65% in 2028. In all and for all, she hears have a total battery production capacity of 220 GWh worldwide by 2030.

Electric at the price of thermal in 2028

The honor will go to Nissan to gradually slide towards the revolution of so-called solid batteries, less polluting for the environment. Their technology will also double the energy density compared to current lithium-ion liquid batteries. The loading time will also be divided by three. 2028 is the target to mass-produce this technology and, in the future, achieve the same cost as thermal vehicles to reach $65/kWh, to accelerate the transition to electric worldwide.

The Alliance also announces that it has recently signed an agreement with Ionity, via the Alliance’s electric mobility service provider Plug Surfing, in order to allow its customers to access Ionity’s ultra-fast charging network in Europe at preferential prices.

The end of fossil fuels?

A few days ago, Renault announced that 100% of its new models will be electric by 2030. Should we deduce that the thermal models currently present in the catalog will not have any descendants? We can imagine that Renault will not offer a sixth generation to its Clio and will be content to extend the life cycle of the current one, born in 2019. To accompany it during its long career, which could exceed 10 years, against 7 years on average so far, the Losange will offer it a first facelift in 2023, and could facelift it a second time by 2028, before it definitively leaves the era of thermal vehicles.

You would have understood it, in 10 years, it will be much more complicated to opt for a model running on fossil fuels, with the automotive industry making headway towards full electrification. But this will inevitably have to be accompanied by solid infrastructure policies to facilitate recharging in all European territories, while ensuring clean electricity production. If thewe can be reassured about the ability of manufacturers to offer, before 2030, electric models at iso prices, compared to thermal, skepticism remains around the viability of the ecosystem that will accompany this green revolution if the political authorities behind it do not give themselves the means to achieve their ambitions.

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