Collaborative Venture: Renault Group, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM Group Unite to Develop a New Generation of Energy-Efficient Electric Vans Focused on Reducing Carbon Emissions
Breaking News: New Joint Venture to Revolutionize Electric Van Industry
A groundbreaking collaboration between Volvo Group, Renault Group, and CMA CGM is set to reshape the electric van industry. The new company, scheduled to start operations early 2024, subject to regulatory approval processes, will operate under its own corporate identity and be based in France.
This joint venture aims to combine the agility of a start-up with the strong backbone of its industry-leading partners. The vehicles produced by this new company will offer outstanding compactness for urban mobility, high polyvalence for tailor-made solutions, and different battery capacities with an 800V feature.
Volvo Group, a global leader in trucks with a strong customer base of professional logistic companies, and Renault Group, known for their expertise in automobile manufacturing, will bring their respective know-how to the table. Renault Group will contribute by developing and manufacturing the electric platform that will onboard its first Software Defined Vehicle architecture.
CMA CGM, a world leader in shipping and logistics, is expected to join the new company, assisting in building solutions that fit all transport and supply chain player's needs. The entry of CMA CGM is subject to regulatory approval processes.
Martin Lundstedt, President, and CEO of Volvo Group, expresses excitement for the sustainable transport solutions the new company will offer. Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, shares this enthusiasm, committing to accelerating the decarbonization of their activity and sector through the new company.
The vehicles produced by the new company will have unprecedented capabilities to monitor delivery activity and user business performance, reducing the global cost of usage for logistic players by 30%. They will be built on a fully electric LCV skateboard platform that offers high modularity and breakthrough safety requirements.
Renault Group and Volvo Group have been working together on light commercial vehicles for over 35 years. This partnership has now evolved to create a new company that will introduce a family of fully electric and software defined vehicles in 2026. Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, expresses enthusiasm for leading the transformation in the LCV market with Volvo Group.
Both Renault Group and Volvo Group will continue to seek additional investment and business partners. The new company will benefit from the existing know-how, services, and industrial footprint of its partners. Despite this collaboration, Volvo Group, Renault Group, and CMA CGM will remain competitors in all other areas.
As France’s financial regulator AMF challenges the European crypto license system (MiCA) and seeks to exclude companies licensed outside France from operating freely there, it is unclear whether the new company will have a specific French license. However, the planned operation under a French corporate identity suggests a strong commitment to the French market.
