Mitsubishi Motors will launch its first fully electric SUV for Europe, the Eclipse Cross, by late 2025, while Nissan will roll out its next-generation electric Micra in the same timeframe, the automakers said on Tuesday. Both models will be produced on Renault Group’s Ampere platforms at the Douai plant in northern France.
The announcement came as senior executives from the alliance visited Douai, including Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa, Mitsubishi Motors CEO Takao Kato, Renault’s newly appointed CEO François Provost, and Alliance Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard. The meeting underscored the group’s push to expand its electric vehicle offerings in Europe.
“European governments are starting to wake up slowly, but they’re far behind what America is doing,” Mitsubishi CEO Kato said during the unveiling, highlighting the importance of the Douai site in boosting the brand’s regional presence.
As previously disclosed, Nissan and Mitsubishi selected Ampere as their partner for EV development, tapping its manufacturing ecosystem and shared expertise. Ampere’s AmpR Small platform underpins the Micra, while the Eclipse Cross is being built on the AmpR Medium platform. Both are undergoing preparation at Douai, where the Eclipse Cross will also mark Mitsubishi’s first vehicle production in France.
Ampere’s modern production line currently manufactures six electric models for four brands — Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and Alpine. “The Alliance’s renewed focus on joint projects and regional opportunities is driving the transformation toward sustainable mobility, positioning Douai as a benchmark for industrial excellence in Europe,” Renault said in a statement.
