Renault Korea sets 2028 start for next-gen EVs in Busan

Renault Korea, Renault’s South Korean unit, said in Seoul it will launch new models every year through 2029 and start producing next-generation EVs at its Busan plant in 2028 under the group’s Future Ready plan.

Nicolas Paris, CEO, said the company will make South Korea a hub for Renault’s D and E segment vehicles and plans to build a localized EV ecosystem in South Korea, including battery production, while expanding software-defined and AI-based vehicle systems.

Paris also said exports are getting harder due to geopolitical tensions and trade policies, and annual output is unlikely to return to the 300,000 units seen in the past.

🔗 Source: Yonhap

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Renault’s Busan plant is already a highly automated, multi-energy factory

The Busan plant ranks among Renault Group’s five global production hubs outside Europe 1.
One mixed-production line builds internal combustion, hybrid, and fully electric vehicles at the same time 2.
The setup can turn out up to eight models across four vehicle platforms, meaning shared underlying vehicle architectures 3.
EV work is established through contract manufacturing of the all-electric Polestar 4 sport utility vehicle for Polestar, a premium electric-car brand, alongside Renault Korea hybrid models 1.
Automation supports output with 881 robots plus 400 AI-powered camera inspection points on the line 2.

Renault’s strategy leverages Korea’s tech ecosystem to counter rivals

The push for a localized EV ecosystem builds on existing relationships in South Korea rather than new ground-up builds.
Renault Group has worked with LG Energy Solution, a South Korean battery maker, since 2013 and called it a core strategic partner going forward 4.
For software-defined vehicles, Renault Group is working with Valeo, a French automotive technology supplier, to co-develop the electrical and electronic architecture, while Valeo supplies a high-performance computer and contributes software such as parking-assistance applications 5.
This approach brings in specialist technology without building every capability in-house, which some rivals such as Tesla have pursued.