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Renault Group's Sandouville site to produce innovative electric LCVs for Flexis SAS, marking a milestone in sustainable transport.
Date: March 30, 2024
Boulogne-Billancourt, France – Renault Group announced today that the Sandouville site will manufacture a groundbreaking generation of electric LCVs for Flexis SAS, the new joint venture formed by Renault Group, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM. To commemorate the occasion, Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, and Thierry Charvet, Chief Industry & Quality Officer, Renault Group, welcomed Bruno Le Maire, Minister for the Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, along with Édouard Philippe, Mayor of Le Havre and Chair of the Le Havre Seine Métropole urban community, to the Normandy site. During their visit, they met with employees on the assembly line, praising the decision to establish this new industrial project in France and to recruit 550 individuals over the next four years.
Thierry Charvet, Chief Industry & Quality Officer, Renault Group said, The selection of this new project acknowledges the expertise and dedication of the individuals at the plant. A new era begins at Sandouville, as we embark on the production of a new generation of electric LCVs that will revolutionize future logistics with their innovative design. This is a source of pride and a challenge we embrace at this historic site, where our aim is to maintain our position as an industry leader.
Sandouville, a cornerstone in LCV production in France
Building upon the proficiency and experience gained by Sandouville in LCV production over the past decade, the site has been chosen to manufacture a new generation of electric vans starting in 2026. This choice further strengthens the robust industrial ecosystem established by the Group for LCV production in France, with its three plants: Maubeuge (Kangoo), Sandouville (Trafic), and Batilly (Master). The Sandouville site has produced over 1,000,000 Trafic vehicles for Renault and its partners, offering a comprehensive range of versions, from the platform cab to the Trafic SpaceClass.
Recruitment initiative to bolster industrial activity
To support this new venture and facilitate the launch of the project, a recruitment initiative has been unveiled, aiming to hire 550 new permanent and fixed-term employees over the next four years. This recruitment drive supplements the 1,000 individuals hired between 2014 and 2023. Presently, the plant employs approximately 1,850 individuals. Concurrently, an ambitious training program has been implemented, providing over 21,400 hours of training in 2023, averaging nearly 18 hours per person.
An industrial facility in transition
The plant is accelerating its digital transformation and is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Through the implementation of the digital ecosystem Sandouville Plant Connect, the site's workshops utilize operational data to optimize the value chain in real-time, from supplier management to production and customer delivery. This tool, designed to oversee various aspects of plant performance, fosters a proactive work environment while promoting excellence in day-to-day operations.
In alignment with decarbonization efforts, the entire manufacturing process has been streamlined to meet the 2030 target. Initiatives include a modernized painting process that will reduce resource and energy consumption by 30%. Additionally, the plant features 40 hectares of photovoltaic panels.
Sandouville bodywork assembly plant
Strategically located in Normandy, near transport infrastructure, the Sandouville bodywork/assembly plant commenced operations in 1964 and produced the majority of Renault's premium vehicles (17 models) over five decades. Since 2014, it has specialized in the production of light commercial vehicles. In 2023, the plant manufactured 131,427 vehicles, introducing the Trafic Van E-Tech electric to its lineup.
Three years ago, the Sandouville plant initiated a diversity and inclusion policy, primarily through the HOPE program (Accommodation, Orientation, and Employment Pathways), aimed at assisting individuals with refugee status in securing long-term employment opportunities in France.
