Renault is in discussions with Nissan to support the Japanese automaker in creating its own version of Renault’s electric Twingo, with the aim of launching a competitively priced EV in Europe by 2026.
The affordable Twingo, expected to cost under €20,000 ($21,700), is set to be a pivotal model for the alliance as it contends with the increasing influence of Chinese brands, including BYD, in the European market.
Renault CEO Luca de Meo highlighted the challenge posed by Chinese EV makers, remarking, “The real question is whether we are capable of making European industry competitive with the Chinese. We are trying.”
Although the European Union recently imposed tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese EV imports, industry experts have noted that such measures may not be sufficient to curb the growth of Chinese brands in Europe.
Initially, Renault had explored a partnership with Volkswagen to share development costs on the electric Twingo, but those talks ended in May.
Nissan, however, is keen to partner on the model, with CEO Makoto Uchida stating that Nissan aims to “boost its offering in Europe and reduce time to market” as part of its strategy to gain traction in the region.
