Renault Group has created Ampere, a new company model that reflects its aim to become Europe’s leader in the fast-growing electric vehicle market.
To respond to the challenges, to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the transformation of the automotive industry, but also to face the important climate concerns, the Renault Group created her Ampere, a new company model, reflecting its aim to become Europe’s leader in the fast-growing electric vehicle market. Driven by technology, Ampere is developing a horizontal business model that enables the Renault Group to be more flexible and respond more directly to innovations. The aim is to democratize electric vehicles in Europe, with vehicles that customers can afford. Ampere builds on its 15 years of expertise Renault on electric vehicles, combining a flexible and efficient organization in the field of pure electric vehicle design for the European market and providing a unique customer experience.
The industrial and technological project pursued with Ampere has a strong impact on the European market. It has a unique range of skills as well as a stable industrial and technological ecosystem, which protects the entire value chain. Under her umbrella Ampere operates 11 production units in France, including four industrial sites: ElectriCity which includes the factories in Douai, Maubeuge and Ruitz, but also the factory in Cléon. The company employs over 11,000 people – 35% of whom are engineers – who design, develop, manufacture and market high-performance, safe and sustainable vehicles under its umbrella Renault. All of them are joining forces to make this large-scale transition to electric mobility possible.
A corporate identity that combines tradition with change
Her logo Ampere it started with the shape of a diamond, Renault’s historic and timeless emblem, reflecting its human and industrial past. Made of many diamonds, it depicts this new configuration of tightly structured, flexible teams, each with their own area of expertise. The resulting composition of these diamonds sparks ideas of perpetual motion and upward march towards a common goal.
Ampere’s identity combines three main colors – the Scandiumthe Own grey and SiliconGrey – creating a perfect balance between technology and friendliness, between human character and innovation.
As the European market leader in the medium and small medium vehicle segment, the Renault Groupand therefore Ampere, are targeting the B & C categories which are expected to make up 75% of European electric vehicle sales by 2030. In the time period between 2023-2030, these two segments are predicted to present an annual growth rate of of the order of 25%.
In the effort to take advantage of this opportunity, the Ampere aims to democratize electric mobility in Europe by achieving price harmonization between electric and internal combustion engine models, pre-empting competition.
Ampere already has a competitive advantage thanks to its two platforms, created exclusively for electric models, while they are designed with the aim of reducing costs and implemented with specific purposes:
AmpRSmallplatform for segment B models (previous name CMF-B EV), AmpRMediumplatform for C-segment models (previous name CMF-EV)
Beyond these platforms, the Ampere marches steadily based on a road map aimed at reducing costs, through a holistic approach to electrification. Until the 2027/2028Ampere aims to reduce up to 40%, the variable costs between the 1st and 2nd generation C-segment electric vehicles, following a steady direction with 3 main pillars:
EV engine (battery and electric drive system):
50% reduction in battery costs per vehicle of the same range
25% reduction in the cost of the electric propulsion system, per vehicle
Vehicle (platform and body):
25% reduction in platform costs, per vehicle
15% reduction in body costs, per vehicle
Business excellence that will enable a 50% reduction in production and logistics costs.
As a result of the continuous implementation of the cost reduction plan, a first important step has been achieved with the Scenic E-Tech, which has already achieved price harmonization in the area of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) with hybrid vehicles. Price harmonization between EV & MEK models is expected to be achieved with the 2nd generation (successors to Megane-E-Tech and Scenic E-Tech), by 2027/2028 while maintaining profit margins. In segment B, Ampere will start with the Renault 5 in 2024 and the Renault 4 in 2025 (with an estimated starting price in Europe of around €25,000), but also with the new electric Renault Twingo, which in Europe is estimated to cost under €20,000.
A complete range of products
To achieve this goal, Ampere has an exciting and highly competitive product portfolio, which includes models in the categories A, B and Cwhile initially consisting of five models:
The Megane E-Tech, launched in mid-2022, is the vehicle that repositioned the brand in the EV market, achieving new customer acquisition (over 50% acquisition rate from competition in Europe). It captured a market share of 2.2% in the European EV market, while it is the No. 1 car in the C-EV segment in France. This particular model has the best infotainment and networking system in its class: OpenRLink.
The Scenic E-Tech it goes on sale early next year and foreshadows the future of European family cars. Sustainability is at the core of its design, as up to 95% of its construction materials are recyclable, while it offers a class-leading range of over 625km WLTP, with a TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) already in the same level with hybrid cars.