(Boursier.com) — Renault Group and the Volvo Group are joining forces to meet the growing need for low-carbon and efficient logistics, by creating a company dedicated to the development of a completely new generation of electric vans. Both groups are delighted that CMA CGM is joining the new company. Renault Group and the Volvo Group will continue to seek other investors and partners.
This new, fully electric Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) range will be launched by the new company. Production is expected to begin in 2026.
Modularity and security
The vehicles will be produced on a new fully electric, skateboard-type light utility vehicle platform, allowing different body modules to be adapted at low cost.
This platform also makes it possible to achieve a major advance in security.
Unrivaled performance and range of services thanks to high connectivity
The new Software-Defined Vehicle electronic architecture will allow the vehicle to integrate new functionalities in order to supervise the delivery activities and commercial performance of users, thus reducing the overall cost of use for logistics players by 30%. Connected services linked to Software-Defined Vehicle technology will allow vehicles to be updated throughout their life.
The van will offer exceptional compactness to adapt to urban mobility, great versatility to offer tailor-made solutions and different battery capacities including the 800V version, unprecedented for a light utility vehicle.
Creation of a “market maker”: the agility of a new company combined with a solid business plan and the expertise of three champions
The new company will be completely independent, combining the agility of a start-up with the support of its partners, industrial leaders. Renault Group and the Volvo group aim to share investments in R&D and bring their know-how, their services and their industrial presence to the new company. The new company will be based on a solid economic model thanks to a contribution of resources optimized according to the area of excellence of each partner.
As the world champion of light utility vehicles and innovative leader in electric vehicles, Renault Group will provide its know-how to develop and produce on a large scale the electric platform integrating for the first time the Software-Defined Vehicle architecture, making it possible to connect in open source the vehicle to the working environment of the logistics sector.
The Volvo Group is a global leader in trucks, with a strong customer base of logistics companies, a global service network and a long track record of serving transportation professionals. These services, combined with the innovative vehicle platform, will contribute to a complete solution for decarbonized urban logistics.
As a global player across all segments of the supply chain, CMA CGM intends to help the new company build appropriate solutions that can meet the needs of all transport and supply chain players. sourcing, based on efficient end-to-end solutions.
“We are delighted to take the next step in our journey towards sustainable transport solutions with the planned creation of a new company. The Volvo Group wants to continue to offer its customers comprehensive transport solutions that help them decarbonise their value chain. We see a growing demand for clean, efficient and safe urban transport. This partnership and our collaboration are essential to achieve this,” commented Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of the Volvo Group.
“Electrification and digitalization are paving the way for a revolution in the utility vehicle market. Renault Group intends to lead this transformation while ensuring robust and efficient value creation. Today, we are very proud to embark on this path with the Volvo group to provide the best solutions to our professional customers in the logistics sector. We are also delighted with the arrival of CMA CGM within the company. The new company is the unrivaled combination of the complementary strengths of three champions: a leading truck manufacturer, expert in tailor-made services, a champion of global supply chains, and a European pioneer in electric vehicles and a leader in light commercial vehicles. All the ingredients come together to create something truly unique” declared Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group.
“As a leader in transport and logistics, the CMA CGM group is proud to join forces with a major European automobile manufacturer and a major global truck manufacturer, Renault Group and the Volvo group, to create this new transport company. electric vans. This is a complete and innovative partnership: not only are we investing in this project, but we will also bring our know-how and expertise to ensure upstream and downstream logistics, while some of these vehicles could be term be used to decarbonize our fleet. Thanks to this new investment from our PULSE fund in electric mobility, we are continuing our commitment to accelerate the decarbonization of our activity and our sector”, declared Rodolphe Saadé, President and CEO of CMA CGM Group.
The joint venture is expected to begin operating in early 2024, subject to the completion of all regulatory approval processes. CMA CGM’s subsequent entry into the company is also subject to the completion of the regulatory approval process.
The future company will be independent and based in France. The Volvo group, through its Renault Trucks branch, and Renault Group have been working together on light utility vehicles for more than 35 years, which is reflected in the distribution of Renault Master and Trafic utility vehicles in both networks.