First production Kangoo Z.E. rolls off the line in France

PRESS RELEASE

The first series-produced Kangoo Z.E. at Maubeuge, in the presence of Mr. Ghosn and Mr. Besson
Forty-seven days before Kangoo Z.E. reaches the showrooms, Éric Besson, French Minister for Industry, Energy and the Digital Economy, and Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Renault Group, are touring the Maubeuge production facility.

MCA (Maubeuge Carrosserie Automobile), a wholly owned Renault subsidiary, is the sole production site for the Kangoo Z.E. range, comprising Kangoo Z.E. and Kangoo Maxi Z.E. (2- and 5-seater).
On sale from October 2011 with a sticker price starting at 15,000 euros (ex VAT and including 5,000 euros of tax incentives, notably in France), Kangoo Z.E. is the first affordable all-electric van, designed and manufactured in France.
To keep pace with the production ramp-up, Carlos Ghosn confirms that nearly 100 people will be hired at Maubeuge in 2011.


The very first Kangoo Z.E. came off the production line on September 22, 2010. Since then, 68 vehicles were produced in 2010, and 281 in 2011 (to end July). These pre-production models intend for pilot operations involving the roll-out of electric vehicles both in France, such as the SAVE project (Seine Aval Vehicle Électrique), and abroad.

As a French company with an international outlook and a strong attachment to its industrial presence and employment in its home country, Renault is heavily involved in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of northern France, where it has four manufacturing facilities. As the production ramps up at Maubeuge, a total of nearly 100 people are hired at MCA in 2011.

Renault has signed the "Charter for the industrial production of electric vehicles", adopted on September 6 by France's ministry of industry.


Renault Kangoo Z.E., the first affordable all-electric van, designed and manufactured in France, is part of Renault's zero-emission* strategy.

With Kangoo Z.E., Renault is offering a vehicle that is accessible to everyone, thanks to:

its sticker price, comparable to that of an internal combustion Kangoo (minus government subsidies),
the electric vehicle's maintenance cost, around 20% lower in France.

Renault has been Europe's leading producer of light commercial vehicles since 1998, with market share of 15.9% in Europe and 32.5% in France in 2010. It now aims to set the standard for electric vans. By adding electric models to its commercial vehicle range, Renault has what it takes to consolidate its position in Europe's LCV market.

* zero-emission in use.

Renault and the electric vehicle in France

In addition to the Maubeuge plant, Renault's entire industrial infrastructure in France is benefiting from the momentum created by the electric vehicle:

- More than 1,000 Renault engineers in France, especially at the Technocentre at Guyancourt, have been actively involved for nearly three years in designing the company's electric cars and ensuring their quality and safety.
- The Flins plant will begin production of ZOE next year and will assemble batteries from 2014 onwards.
- The Cléon plant will start producing electric engines in 2013.
- Renault is joining forces with the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) to design the batteries of the future.
- 80% of Renault's electric vehicles will be produced in France.


Renault in the Nord Pas de Calais region

Renault is the biggest industrial employer in the Nord Pas de Calais region of northern France. The Group has four industrial plants in the area: the Georges Besse facility at Douai (Scénic, Grand Scénic, Mégane Coupé Cabriolet), MCA at Maubeuge (Kangoo, Kangoo Express), Française de Mécanique at Douvrin (1.2 liter gasoline engines) and STA Ruitz (automatic transmissions). Certified to ISO 14 001 standard, all four plants are environment friendly.
Inspired by its brand signature "Drive the Change", Renault is preparing for the future in Nord Pas de Calais.

Renault and commercial vehicles

Europe's leading producer of LCVs since 1998, Renault offers a wide choice of vehicles with capacities ranging from 2 to 22 cubic meters (diversity, partner products, customized vehicles) to respond to the demands of professionals.

The roll-out of the Renault Pro+ network, launched in 2009, is already more than half-way complete, with 230 centers out of the 400 planned for end 2012. The aim is to offer a one stop shop that caters to business customers' needs in specialized premises and with dedicated sales staff.

2010 is a banner year with an overall 15.9% market share (compact vans, small and large panel vans).

In the compact van segment, Kangoo LCV is market leader with 17.1% in Europe (including France) and 32.3% in France.

About Renault

Present on all continents with over 30 production sites and 18,000 business sites in 118 countries, Renault designs, produces and sells a broad range of innovative vehicles that with each new generation are increasingly safe and more respectful of the environment. The company is pursuing its strategy of profitable growth with associate brands Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors and strategic partner AvtoVAZ. Renault has a workforce of 121,000 worldwide. In 2010 it reported revenues of €38,971 million and sold over 2.6 million vehicles.