The French economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, was very worried on Friday about the future of Renault, whose largest shareholder is the French state with 15% of the shares. "Renault is risking its survival," warned the minister in an interview published by the French newspaper Le Figaro .

"Yes, Renault can disappear. Yes, the big industrial builders can disappear," he added in another interview with the Europe 1 radio station . The minister considered it necessary to "tell the truth to the French: I do not hide the gravity of Renault's situation "

Le Maire, however, does not give it all up for lost . "I also know that Renault has exceptional resources, exceptional technologies, employees who are motivated, workers who are competent. Therefore, Renault can recover, Renault will recover," added the minister.

The French manufacturer has asked for a loan guaranteed by the State for 5 billion euros that should allow Renault to get out of the hole in which it is involved. But the French minister has not yet signed it, as this loan appears to come with a number of conditions.

Commitments in three directions

"We ask builders to make commitments in three directions: the electric vehicle, respect for its subcontractors and the location in France of its most technologically advanced activities," added Le Maire.

According to the French satirical newspaper Le Canard Échaîné, Renault would be planning to close three factories located in France -Dieppe, where the Alpine, Les Fonderies de Bretagne and Chiosy-le-Roi cars are made and reconvert the one in Flins , where today the electric is assembled. Zoe and the Nissan Micra. Le Maire assured that the Flins factory "must not close" but must reconvert its production.

In addition, various media have reported that it will withdraw several cars from its range when its commercial life ends: the Espace and Scénic minivans , the Talisman saloon, the Koleos large SUV and there has even been speculation about the Mégane compact that is produced in the Spanish factory. from Palencia.

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to announce next week a plan to support the automotive sector, after another endowed with 18,000 million to save the tourism sector.

This Wednesday, before the Senate, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe had already been forceful: "We will be intransigent regarding the relocation of sites in France. And if Renault" is a global company, its French brand is obvious. "

Renault, with its Japanese allies Nissan and Mitsubishi, is to announce a joint strategic plan on May 27, and the French group is to present on May 29 the broad outlines of a € 2 billion savings plan announced in February.

Luca de Meo, former president of Seat and who will start serving as CEO of the French company from July 1, has undoubtedly a great challenge ahead.

In accordance with the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Engine
  • Motor industry

Economy The Generalitat assures that Nissan will decide whether to close its Barcelona plant on May 28

MotorTesla, BMW and Renault, the most electric and 'plug in' brands sold in Europe

MotorNissan will close the Barcelona factory, according to the Japanese newspaper Nikkei