Renault Korea CEO: "First SDV Launch Next Year... Electric Vehicle Production in Busan by 2028"

Renault Korea will launch its first Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) in Korea next year, and in the following year, it will begin producing Renault Group's next-generation electric vehicle at the Busan plant. The company plans to introduce one new model every year until 2029.

Nicola Paris, President of Renault Korea, is announcing the medium- to long-term execution plan at a press conference held on the 14th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Renault Korea

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On the 14th, Nicolas Paris, President of Renault Korea, announced at the "Mid- to Long-Term Growth Strategy" press conference held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, "We plan to foster Korea as a hub for the D (mid-size) and E (full-size) segments in line with Renault Group’s 'Future Ready Plan.'"

To produce next-generation Renault electric vehicles at the Busan plant, Renault Korea will establish a domestic electric vehicle battery supply chain with local partners. After launching the SDV, the company will accelerate the transition to Level 2++ autonomous driving and AI Defined Vehicle (AIDV) technology. In addition, Renault Korea aims to shorten new vehicle development cycles to less than two years by utilizing AI and to build a co-growth ecosystem for future innovation through horizontal partnerships with suppliers.

President Paris stated, "We currently directly employ about 2,000 people in the Busan area, and we are responsible for providing jobs for more than 30,000 people in the local community." He emphasized, "As a foreign automaker that continues to manufacture in Korea, we will take a new leap forward following the Aurora Project, in line with the Future Ready Plan."

Nikola Parry, President of Renault Korea, is announcing the mid- to long-term execution plan at a press conference held on the 14th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Renault Korea

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As part of the Aurora Project, Renault Korea introduced the D-segment SUV "Grand Koleos" in 2024 and the E-segment crossover "Filante" this year to the market. Both models have successfully established themselves in the domestic market, marking the successful completion of the Aurora Project, which began in 2022.

In line with Renault Group's new mid- to long-term strategy, the "Future Ready Plan," the Renault brand has set three key growth drivers: strengthening the brand’s position in Europe, expanding electrification across its entire lineup, and reinforcing its presence in global markets outside Europe. The company aims to launch 26 new models by 2030 and achieve annual sales of over 2 million vehicles in both European and global markets.

Notably, the company plans to pursue both pure electric vehicles and hybrid E-Tech models as the two pillars of its electrification strategy. Renault Korea also plans to introduce a new electrified model to the domestic market each year until 2029.

Nicola Parry, President of Renault Korea, is announcing the mid- to long-term execution plan at a press conference held on the 14th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Renault Korea

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Additionally, to produce next-generation electric vehicles at the Busan plant, the company will establish a domestic supply chain for electric vehicle batteries. President Paris explained, "We plan to develop the Busan plant into a representative smart manufacturing hub for the group," adding, "We will strengthen not only AI-based systems, but also infrastructure that enables real-time production management."

However, he noted, "We cannot immediately raise the utilization rate of the Busan plant, which has a maximum annual capacity of 300,000 units," but added, "Our top priority will be to focus on producing Renault Group’s first electric vehicle in Busan."

Having taken office as President of Renault Korea in September last year, he commented on the Korean market: "I was most surprised by how sensitive consumers are to the latest technologies and trends," adding, "We will introduce vehicles that can have a significant impact in Korea and that customers can be proud to own."

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