Renault Group is shifting its strategy regarding vehicle development with partners like Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Ford. CEO François Provost announced that future collaborations will require greater visual differentiation between models that share the same platforms and technical foundations.
The company expressed dissatisfaction with previous projects where shared components led to significant design similarities. Specific concerns were raised regarding the Nissan Micra EV and the Renault 5 E-Tech, as well as Mitsubishi models that rebadged existing Renault vehicles.
Provost noted that while product planning teams often prioritize budget goals by limiting changes to bumpers and lighting, this approach will no longer be the standard. The CEO emphasized that future partnerships must ensure each brand maintains a distinct identity.
The company is currently working with Ford on an electric successor to the Fiesta, which will utilize the same architecture as the Renault 5 E-Tech and Nissan Micra. Ford CEO Jim Farley reportedly shares the view that the vehicle must be visually distinct as a Ford.
