Writing by Rachel More; editing by Matthias Wiliams Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Excellence as a trademark. Expertise, proof of the trust shown by partners, Daimler and Nissan. Having produced more than 6 million vehicles since 1971, the Maubeuge factory is an icon in French automotives. 50 years of vehicles sent to the four corners of the globe, meeting the needs of each market. The Maubeuge factory has become the Alliance’s centre of excellence for commercial vehicles, having been in operation for half a century, fostering 25 years of experience manufacturing Kangoo, and honing expertise in electric vehicles for the past 10 years. The vibrant collaboration with the Alliance and its partners has given rise to renewed confidence from Daimler and Nissan, with new models produced together with the new generation of Kangoo basis and set to be available with electric engines too. "Thanks to our expertise in manufacturing light commercial vehicles, our two partners Mercedes (Daimler) and Nissan have renewed commitments. A major asset in fostering strong bonds and building high performance cars for each of our three customer types. It stands as testament to the excellence shown day in day out by each and every employee on the site", explains Jean-Philippe Daveau. More than 20 models have left their mark on the factory's history: the iconic Renault 12, Renault 18, Fuego, Renault 21 Medallion, and Nevada. Kangoo has since become a benchmark in its segment, with nearly 4 million units manufactured of which 70,000 are electric models. A success with customers and other manufactures around the world. Robotics & Automation News April 25, 2025 by The Maubeuge plant has been building the Renault Kangoo range since 1997 This year will mark a major change with the arrival of the iconic all-electric passenger car the site will debut a major innovation on the production line: the Jetprint Paint system for two-tone paintwork ultra-modern technology saves energy and emits less carbon but its development and implementation posed a real challenge For the production of Renault 4 E-Tech electric the Maubeuge production site (Ampere ElectriCity) is inaugurating the Jetprint Paint process a new technology for two-tone paint application The process relies on a dedicated booth that is fully integrated with the production line Working to the highest standards of quality two robots complete the two-tone paintwork of the roof and bonnet in just six minutes a two-tone finish required hours of preliminary preparations as part of a process that involved sending the car back to the paint shop for a second time the Maubeuge plant is set to start building Renault 4 E-Tech electric “This allowed us to deploy a revolutionary innovation in the paint shop with Jetprint Paint In the new Jetprint Paint booth at the Ampere site in Maubeuge the roof and bonnet of Renault 4 E-Tech electric receive a two-tone paint finish with a perfect line between the two colours This premium finish is a great source of great pride for Lavisse She played a key role in the on-site deployment of this innovative paint technology Renault 4 E-Tech electric can be personalised in a unique way further underlining its exclusive status.” Implementing this innovation was a real challenge for Lavisse and for all the members of the Maubeuge paint team paint sector consultant for the R4 project from both a technical and a material perspective says: “Jetprint Paint requires different technology and a different type of paint So we developed a specific paint booth and organised training for employees.” integrating this innovation into the production process is a first for the Renault Group and also a world first for a full-line manufacturer The team faced a two-fold challenge in deploying this new process while also starting production of the first all-electric passenger car at the Maubeuge plant “The timing was ambitious to say the least!” remembers Lavisse “Everything had to be fully operational well before the launch of Renault 4 E-Tech electric.” a two-tone finish is obtained by sending vehicles back to the paint shop on the main production line for a second time car bodies were painted in the main colour selected by the customer and then dried in an oven “We then had to protect the body with tarpaulins and masking tape a process involving many hours of manual labour before sending the car back to the main paint shop for a second coat of paint but this time only on the two-tone areas.” with the car having to be dried twice in the ovens It also required a significant quantity of consumables and generated considerable waste “Jetprint Paint changes everything!” says Rairoux with a smile The two-tone process is now integrated with the production line tarpaulins and protective plastic are no longer necessary “We have a higher level of productivity and considerably less waste,” continues Rairoux Another advantage of Jetprint Paint is that the technology is 100% efficient As the final oven drying stage is no longer necessary the process saves 1.7 GWh of electricity per year “That’s equivalent to the annual consumption of 350 households and 331 tonnes of non-emitted CO2,” says Rairoux with enthusiasm Jetprint Paint uses a technology known as paint printing “This innovation delivers extremely high levels of precision making it ideal for two-tone paintwork” continues Rairoux A jet of paint of between 1 and 50 mm in width is directed by the force of pressure and gravity onto the body of the car “Two robots paint the roof and bonnet of Renault 4 E-Tech electric in just six minutes,” says Rairoux paint jets body are between 30 and 45 cm wide when painting the entire body the paint takes the form of a mist sprayed onto the body using compressed air and high-voltage technology “Jetprint Paint is a real revolution in vehicle paint shops” explains Lavisse This new paint process has so many qualities that Lavisse is thinking big “The future prospects for Jetprint Paint extend well beyond two-tone paintwork.” This technology could be used to develop bespoke paintwork for business fleets and highly customised finishes for private customers “Jetprint Paint contributes to more sustainable production And the exceptional quality of finish gives it a bright future within the group,” says Lavisse Copyright © 2025 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in It’s official: Maubeuge has cleared the 4 million Kangoo milestone a car that captured its time and a love-at-first-sight phenomenon and is as popular as ever generations later The leisure versions for families and friends tradespeople and companies have built a track record in a league of its own and achieved iconic status We look back at 26 years of Kangoo production at a plant that has become a centre of LCV excellence Maubeuge has produced more than 20 prominent models since 1969 including Renault 12 But the one that has become inseparable from this plant in the ElectriCity cluster in northern France is Kangoo a record that attests to the model’s enduring success as its generations parade by more than 400 Kangoo vehicles roll off its assembly lines every day – or one every 90 seconds Kangoo’s exciting story began in the 1990s when Renault decided to start manufacturing it in Maubeuge and invested over €500 million to upgrade the plant The first big step came in 1994 when a 5,400-tonne transfer press – one of the largest in Europe – was set up to stamp the vehicle’s tailgate Workstation ergonomics were also improved with the first ever variable-height production lines “Hands in the air” stations were out and automation that has marked generations of women and men Production of model X76 (Kangoo’s industrial nickname) started in 1997 That was a pivotal point in Renault’s and the Maubeuge plant’s history: it was the first time modularity and fun and functional design upgraded perfunctory vans into cars for life and living And these came in two versions: Kangoo for private customers and Kangoo Express for shopkeepers tradespeople and companies operating fleets fun and avantgarde vibe has stayed with it ever since rivals started adding a sliding door to their vans to meet its users’ needs even more thoroughly Maubeuge had to rapidly adapt its production line for example by adding a second robot island to attach the sheet-metal sliding side door and adding new stamping ranges Maubeuge made its millionth Kangoo in 2002 new breakthroughs (including a bench that folds down flat and a roof rack that turns into roof bars in seconds) It was even more practical for personal use and more convenient for professionals The plant’s productivity and quest for outstanding quality also made it Renault’s top choice for the electric version Renault started making the electric version at Maubeuge in 2011 – and kick-started another revolution in the automotive market with Kangoo Z.E It was the first full-electric vehicle to win the coveted International Van Of The Year award and inaugurated the electric van segment in the process Maubeuge has made 90,000 of them and ranked Renault among Europe’s leaders in this category Including the electric vans it makes for partners To keep up with demand for the electric Kangoo since 2021 the batteries have been assembled at the same plant in a building outfitted specifically to feed the main line And operators have been extensively trained in the new requirements associated with electric vehicle production To seamlessly merge the battery flow into the assembly flow production lines were also altered and solidified for example by automating the battery placing system The logistics flows were also reshuffled to accommodate the new Kangoo versions: the plant assembles more than 380 versions on a single production line, handling about 3,700 product references on an average day, just in time and timed to the second! Customers loved this new generation as much as automotive specialists and Kangoo was crowned Van Of The Year 2022. In July 2023, the Manufacture de Maubeuge had another reason to celebrate: its 150,000th third-generation Kangoo!  Then the 7-seat Grand Kangoo completed this new line-up, stepped onto the stage at IAA Munich 2023 and joined the rest of the Kangoo family on Maubeuge’s production lines. If you want to know everything there is to know about Kangoo, here are a few fun facts you may have missed: 1. Have you ever wondered why Kangoo is called that? The short answer is kangaroos. The name conjures up visions of agility, energy, rhythm and nature, a friendly feel and the notion of practicality (think belly pouches!). The message is that it’s a handy vehicle and always ready to hit the road when you’re in the mood for time out with your family or friends. It’s eminently functional and its style is distinctly cool. So the name fits quite nicely, doesn’t it? 2. Kangoo had developed a cult following in Japan. Every year since 2008, over 2,000 people congregate at Mount Fuji to take part in the Kangoo Jamboree. And the entire plant is geared for these particular requirements. A quality control team there makes sure every model shipped to Japan complies with them. Have a look at the photos: they are amazing! 3. The Kangoo van version is available in a wide variety of colours: the Maubeuge plant can produce up to 370 specific tones for corporate customers and fleet operators. Its professional customers currently use over 100 of these colours. 4. Kangoo’s love affair with the French postal service is no longer a secret. But postal services in dozens of countries around the world, including Norway, Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia and Portugal, and others as far flung as Australia, also use it. Check out the photos: all those liveries come from the production lines in Maubeuge. Exciting, right? 5. And Kangoo vans carry more than post: the Pope travels in one when he is at his summer residence. 6. Each year, over 800 Kangoo vehicles are converted to transport people with reduced mobility. Thanks to its unique architecture, following alteration it can fit a wheelchair near the passengers in the front row, so all the family can travel together. The vehicles are outfitted directly by Renault’s conversion specialist, Qstomize. 8. In 2013, under a partnership between Renault and the Château de Versailles, which was celebrating the 400th anniversary of the birth of Louis XIV’s gardener André Le Nôtre, 10 Kangoo electric vehicles were used to embellish the gardens – for example carrying plants, statue and supplies – with zero noise and zero emissions. 9. The Maubeuge plant is constantly kitting out its industrial processes with the latest breakthroughs. One of the recent upgrades, “vision control”, uses an array of cameras to check each point on each board is just right, so that the screwing operation complies with all quality requirements. 10. Lastly, a fun fact on digitalisation: to train paintshop staff, the plant has a virtual-reality booth simulator where learners can practise without using a drop of paint! Impressive, isn’t it? Nissan’s compact cargo vans will soon start rolling off production lines in Maubeuge confirming the plant’s industrial leadership in the light commercial vehicle segment This is a perfect illustration of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s win-win cooperation strategy All the vehicles bear the Made in France hallmark a new generation of Nissan compact vans will be joining the new Kangoo on the lines It is a marvellous illustration of the competitive edge in the Alliance’s Leader-Follower cooperation model This strategy is based on tapping into new synergies to capitalise even more on the plant’s efficiency and technology while maximising fixed-cost sharing between the two companies This is fresh evidence of the collaborative dynamic we have set up within the Alliance to sharpen the competitive edge of each of our companies It’s great news and an amazing opportunity for the Maubeuge plant which has established a solid track record for excellence and know-how.” You can’t miss the diamond-shaped logo on the plant’s façade Mercedes (Citan) and Nissan vehicles emerge from it more or less indiscriminately And they all come together under the same roof for a good reason: we are the Alliance’s centre of LCV excellence The 6 million vehicles that this plant has produced since 1971 have made it a standard-setter in the industrial landscape Maubeuge combines decades of know-how with uncompromising up-to-the-minute quality standards It produced almost 150,000 vehicles in 2019 including 13,000 Kangoo Z.E vans. Over the years MCA has become the Alliance’s centre of LCV excellence utility and electric Kangoo variants sold by other brands The plant has invested €450 million in recent years to build the New Kangoo The main upgrades include a new XXL press line designed to stamp large parts a new quality-control line and a virtual-reality simulator for the paint shop metres of sheet metal processes (housing 630 robots) and take manufacturing processes and finishing quality to the next level And both these factors are essential for Nissan and Mercedes to entrust the plant with manufacturing their models We have transformed the plant substantially to produce all the versions of these new models which will be gaining prominence in the near future We need to seize this opportunity to cement our leadership and the Maubeuge plant’s position as the Alliance’s centre of excellence for light commercial vehicles VP of Electro & LCV North Pole Industry in France Plans to create the first Re-Factory in Flins were announced a couple of months ago, and production plants throughout France continue to push ahead with their forward-looking drive. When Renault’s three manufacturing plants in northern France – Douai and Ruitz – come together to create the largest and most competitive EV production facility in Europe This is an overview of a new leading facility within the Group’s industrial ecosystem this industrial complex is now the nerve center of Ampere the Group's entity dedicated to electric vehicles the aim of this consolidation is also to bring together a complete ecosystem of suppliers in close proximity in order to innovate and reduce numerous costs for increased competitiveness where three plants have shared the same passion for the past 50 years: automotives millions of iconic cars and gearboxes from throughout Renault’s history have rolled out their factory doors Renault Group is placing France at the heart of its electric strategy With best practices being shared across sites a non-negotiable red line built around ‘Made in France’ everything is geared towards ensuring a high-level competitive edge.  the objective is becoming a reality: the two new models manufactured in Douai - Renault 5 E-Tech electric and Scénic E-Tech electric - have received the 'Origine France Garantie' certification* awarded by Bureau Veritas. *(a certification granted to products whose final assembly is carried out in France and for which at least 50% of the unit production cost The three Ampere ElectriCity plants in Douai Maubeuge and Ruitz are historic Group sites now dedicated to the electric future of mobility The Cléon plant supplies these sites with engines the Douai plant has been manufacturing its first electric vehicle The 100% electric range was later expanded to include the Scénic E-Tech and Renault 5 E-Tech The battery assembly workshop created within the factory assembles the necessary batteries on-site More than 550 million euros have been invested in the workshops to accommodate the electric versions and ensure optimal ergonomics at the workstations.  has manufactured three generations of the Kangoo including the first electric Kangoo launched in 2011 a pioneer and leader in the electric van segment in Europe since its launch The site also produces commercial vehicles for Daimler (Mercedes Citan) and the Nissan Townstar these models have also been produced in electric versions.  including the DB35 installed across the entire E-Tech range with future production of battery trays (housings containing the battery modules) for electric vehicles manufactured in France a memorandum of understanding for the creation of a joint venture between Renault Group and Minth Group was signed in June 2022.  The Cléon plant manufactures very high-performance electrical and mechanical components. Since 2015, it has produced the electric powertrain for the Renault ZOE, Twingo E-Tech Electric, Kangoo E-Tech Electric, and Master E-Tech Electric. On July 5, 2022, a new electric motor production line the plant will reach a production capacity of over 1 million electrified engines per year including 500,000 electric motors and 510,000 hybrid motors.  French start-up Verkor will work with Renault Group to co-develop high-performance and low-carbon batteries, with production starting in Dunkirk in 2025. More information Minth Group, one of the world's leading automotive suppliers, has signed a memorandum of understanding for the creation of a joint venture to produce battery trays at the Ruitz factory. More information In Hauts-de-France, working for Renault is something to be worn with pride. The Group has been a local name for half a century. Be it in Douai, Maubeuge, or Ruitz, generations of men and women have built up the success and reputation of the factories in which they work. Deeply rooted in the local fabric, Renault Group stands out as the region’s largest automotive employer. With this rapid industrial transformation, Renault Group is contributing to the employment pool.  Ampere ElectriCity is also the story of bringing together an entire ecosystem of research centres, universities, and start-ups to ramp up research and development of innovative technological EV solutions and services, and to train manufacturing teams.  Located in the heart of Europe, at the crossroads between supply and demand, Ampere ElectriCity has everything it needs to become the continent’s leading hub of EV know-how and production across the entire manufacturing value chain.  View important Copyright © information related to freeware files here The archive lfqj_maubeuge.zip has 38 files and directories contained within it This list displays the first 500 files in the package Signing-up for PRO gives you super fast, unrestricted speed to the thousands of MSFS, FSX, P3D & X-Plane downloads which include aircraft, scenery, and more - click here to view the library for free or.. Sign-Up Now PRO membership payments go directly back into the website to pay for hosting It's what also enables us to offer a free download tier Join over 145,000 subscribers of our free dedicated flight simulation newsletter Are you using the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 release Renault announced a new wholly-owned legal entity Renault ElectriCity that groups together the industrial sites of Douai This move is part of the previously announced Renaulution strategic plan and will enable to "electrify" the plants with an ambition of 400,000 vehicles per year by 2025 the Renault ElectriCity will be the largest and most competitive electric vehicle production center in Europe We assume that Renault is talking about 400,000 EVs (or at least plug-ins) annually 700 permanent new jobs will be added at the sites Renault Group aims to make these plants the most competitive and efficient production unit for electric vehicles in Europe with 400,000 vehicles produced per year by 2025 Renault Group has set itself three major objectives:  The most interesting part for us is about the plant assignments that reveal the use of new EV platforms and EV models The Douai plant is scheduled to start production of its first electric car later this year. It will be the all-electric Megane E-Vision, based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-EV platform, utilized also by Nissan in the upcoming Ariya model the plant will start production of a new C-segment vehicle Renault will produce in Douai also EVs based on a new electric platform for B-segment vehicles there will be at least three all-new models The Maubeuge plant is not a newbie to EVs, as it has been making the Renault Kangoo Z.E. with lithium-ion batteries for about 10 years In 2022, Renault will launch the all-new Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric We guess that the plant will produce also electric vans for Nissan and Daimler The plant in Ruitz will supply electrical components to other plants The plant will host a new electrical components manufacturing activity These Electric Motors Keep Old EVs Running Longer For Less Waymo Is Far From Done With The Jaguar I-Pace 2025 Renault 5 E-Tech: An Icon Nails Its Electric Comeback Ford Isn't Slowing Down Mustang Mach-E Production The Renault 5 Turbo 3E ‘Mini Supercar’ Gets In-Wheel Motors The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck Is America’s New Range King Renault Made A Breakthrough In EV Fire Safety 2022 – As part of its Renaulution strategy Renault Group today announces an acceleration of the decarbonization plan for its industrial sites with three strategic and unprecedented partnerships to achieve its energy transition objectives This new stage is materializing today with Voltalia for the largest green electricity supply contract in France – for the French factories of the Group; with ENGIE for the first deep geothermal project on a European industrial site Committed to the energy transition for more than 10 years and reaffirmed in the Climate Plan in April 2021 the Group confirms its commitments to achieve net zero carbon at its ElectriCity plants in Hauts-de-France by 2025  The Group is drawing up a large-scale concrete plan to accelerate industrial decarbonization via photovoltaics said: "Today we are taking a strategic step towards achieving carbon neutrality in our plants Thanks to this partnership signed  with Voltalia ElectriCity will become the Group's first production hub to be supplied with carbon-free and competitive electricity We are already working on the next step of our plan and are working towards carbon-free heat to power our factories we are proud to launch with ENGIE one of the most ambitious decarbonisation projects on a European industrial site: the installation of deep geothermal energy we are very pleased to partner with Dalkia to launch a biomass boiler project at the Maubeuge plant to innovate and reduce the carbon footprint of our plants." Renault Group and Voltalia sign France's largest long-term renewable electricity supply agreement (Corporate Power Purchasing Agreement) for a capacity of 350 megawatts representing the production of approximately 500 gigawatt hours per year by 2027 it is an unprecedented commitment in France terms of power This long-term agreement will enable Renault Group to cover up to 50% of the electricity consumption of the manufacturer's production activities in France in 2027 Voltalia will install photovoltaic panels on French territory for a capacity of 100 megawatts from 2025 The capacity made available to Renault by Voltalia will increase steadily over the following years This agreement will cover Cléon's electric activities as well as all the sustainable electricity needs of the ElectriCity cluster the largest and most competitive electric vehicle production centre in Europe whose ambition is to produce 500,000 vehicles per year by 2025 said: "Voltalia is proud to be a privileged partner of this new stage of Renault Group's Climate Plan and to actively contribute to its objective of net zero carbon for the plants in the ElectriCity cluster carbon-free and competitive electricity to reduce CO2 emissions is Voltalia's daily mission This major partnership delights us and illustrates our ability to be a key player in green electricity solutions in France." This large-scale project is integrated as part of a Heat Purchase Agreement (HPA) with the aim of supplying the plant with carbon-free heat replacing 70% of its gas needs from local and renewable sources Renault Group will thus strengthen its leading position in the decarbonisation of its industrial sites through this commitment will begin drilling work at the Douai plant to draw hot water (130-140°C) at a depth of 4,000 metres to capture the calories needed for the plant's industrial and heating process needs from 2025 The geothermal water will then be returned to its natural environment this geothermal technology would provide a power of nearly 40 MW continuously geothermal energy could be used to produce carbon-free electricity Executive Vice President in charge of Energy Solutions said: "We are proud to be one of the partners that Renault has trusted to decarbonise its activities The technological expertise represented by this geothermal solution applied to a large industrial site demonstrates our know-how and our ability to innovate to support our customers in their energy transition resilient solutions that guarantee the highest operational performance." an EDF Group subsidiary specialising in renewable energies have signed a 15-year partnership to supply carbon-free heat to the Maubeuge Renault plant through the installation of a biomass boiler and waste heat recovery systems on site this boilers should enable the plant to cover 65% of its gas needs from local and renewable sources by 2025 said: "I would like to thank Renault Group for placing its trust in us The decarbonisation of industry is at the heart of our activities and our teams are very committed to making this biomass heating plant project at the Maubeuge plant a benchmark for the region's energy transition!" The decarbonization plan concerns all Renault Group sites on the four continents where the Group operates and to make this transition to renewable energy Renault Group is surrounded by a network of partners to deploy its decarbonization strategy around the world Discover Renault Group's initiatives to decarbonize its industrial sites around the world: To go further on Renault Group's Climate Plan Renault Group is accelerating the decarbonisation plan for its plants in France and innovating with new partners: Voltalia Corporate Press Officer Industry & Sustainability +33 7 89 27 09 92 +33 6 25 63 22 08 Renault Group is at the forefront of a mobility that is reinventing itself Strengthened by its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors and its unique expertise in electrification Renault Group comprises 4 complementary brands - Renault Alpine and Mobilize - offering sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to its customers the Group has sold 2.7 million vehicles in 2021 It employs nearly 111,000 people who embody its Purpose every day Ready to pursue challenges both on the road and in competition Renault Group is committed to an ambitious transformation that will generate value This is centred on the development of new technologies and services the Group’s ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 Voltalia is an international player in renewable energies The Group produces and sells electricity from its wind It has an operating and construction capacity of more than 2.4 GW and a portfolio of projects under development with a total capacity of 13.6 GW Voltalia is also a service provider and supports its customers in renewable energy during all stages of projects Voltalia finally offers a global offer to companies ranging from the supply of green electricity to energy efficiency services including the local production of its own electricity With 1,450 employees in 20 countries on 4 continents Voltalia has a global capacity for action for its customers Voltalia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (FR0011995588 – VLTSA) and is part of the Enternext Tech 40 and CAC Mid&Small indices The company is also included in the Gaia-Index ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services we are committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40 MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World Euronext Vigeo Eiris - Eurozone 120/ Europe 120/ France 20 a subsidiary of the EDF Group and leader in energy services has been investing in and developing renewable and recovery energies and supporting its customers over the long term to help them save energy and reduce their CO2 emissions Nearly 20,000 employees throughout France and abroad maintain and operate the facilities of industrial sites with innovative and efficient solutions to accelerate the decarbonization of sites and territories Find our solutions on our eco-responsible website www.dalkia.fr Renault has hit another production milestone with more than four million of the Renault Kangoo manufactured at its Maubeuge plant The northern France production facility has made the Kangoo ever since the model was introduced in the late 1990s While Maubeuge has been operational since 1969 and produced more than 20 prominent models it is the Kangoo that it is synonymous with roll off the plant’s assembly lines every day – or one every 90 seconds which has become a centre of LCV excellence Renault invested over €500 million in upgrades These included the installation of a 5,400-tonne transfer press – one of the largest in Europe – and the first ever variable height production lines The plant would complete its millionth Kangoo in 2002 and its two-millionth in 2007 the site would commence production of the second-generation Kangoo In 2011 Maubeuge adapted its lines to start manufacturing the electric Kangoo Z.E and has made 90,000 of them (100,000 including electric vans produced for partners) contributing to Renault becoming one of the leaders in this category since 2021 the batteries have also been assembled at Maubeuge the plant also started production of the third-generation Kangoo with Renault investing €450 million to overhaul the site This included the additions of a High Speed XXL stamping press (delivering 6,600 tonnes of pressure through five units and up to 15,000 strokes a day) and 600 metalworking robots The logistics flows were also reshuffled to accommodate differing variations of the Kangoo: the plant assembles more than 380 versions on a single production line handling about 3,700 product references on an average day Maubeuge celebrated the production milestone of 150,000 third-generation Kangoo in July 2023 which was followed by the introduction of the seven-seat Grand Kangoo to the line following its unveiling at IAA Munich The plant continues to be a showcase for Renault’s advanced production facilities Its abilities include being able to produce up to 370 colour tones for Kangoo customers ‘vision control’ uses an array of cameras to check each point on each board is just right so the screwing operation complies with all quality requirements It even has a virtual reality paint booth simulator where personnel can practise without even using a drop of paint the Kangoo is available in Advance and Extra trim levels Its comprehensive specification includes up to 20 advanced driver assistance systems while the Kangoo E-Tech electric has a driving range of up to 186 miles (WLTP) Transport Monitoring Solutions (TMS) has enhanced its range of DVS systems with the launch of an industry-first hybrid option that brings together the benefits of both radar Petrol and diesel prices are set to rise again Aquila Truck Centre’s Gloucester facility has been appointed a Decarbonising commercial vehicles (CVs) is Highlighting the remarkable achievement of By subscribing, you accept the terms and conditions in our privacy policy Bruno Le Maire has signed a €5bn (£4.3bn) loan guarantee for Renault and is urging discussions start immediately concerning the future of the automaker’s Maubeuge plant Renault has launched a consultation process on the Douai and Maubeuge plants to study the creation of an electric and light commercial vehicles centre in northern France “The French Minister of Finance [signed] a loan guarantee for €5bn which has been granted to Renault,” said a source in the Finance Ministry in Paris “[He] has called for social and technical dialogue to start immediately to develop an industrial future for Maubeuge “This project should guarantee for the long term jobs and the level of industrial activity at Maubeuge No decision will be taken on the transfer of acclivity until such a future product has the agreement of [all] parties “Discussions will start next week between unions and Renault management chaired by the Finance Minister with politicians will take place in September to take stock.” Renault announced the finalisation of a credit facility agreement with a banking pool for a maximum total amount of €5bn benefiting from a guarantee of the French State Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis will help finance the group’s liquidity requirements within the context of an unprecedented crisis,” said a Renault statement The main terms and conditions of this credit facility are: Renault is looking to reduce its fixed costs by more than €2bn across a three- year period which will involve the loss of 4,600 jobs in France and 10,000 around the world Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network Nissan will use the Renault Kangoo’s underpinnings to create a new small van called the NV250 which together form two-thirds of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance will build the new model alongside its French sibling at Renault’s Maubeuge plant in north-eastern France The site is already home to the Kangoo and the Mercedes-Benz Citan and will become the group’s “small van centre of excellence” Renault says it is investing €450 million (around £391.5 million) in the Maubeuge plant and 200 new workers will be hired at the factory in 2019 bringing the total number of employees to around 2,500 But although the alliance has been forthcoming about its plans for the Maubeuge factory few details have been announced regarding the NV250 If previous Renault-Nissan collaborations (which include the larger Trafic and NV300 vans) are anything to go by it seems likely that the two vans will be incredibly similar with almost identical styling and vital stats The engine range will probably comprise mainly diesel units although the current Kangoo is available with an electric powertrain that could also feature in the Nissan van and petrol power may play a more prominent role Both new models come as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s plan to double “synergies” to the tune of €10 billion (£8.7 billion) by 2022 The companies already share some technology, with Nissan and Renault selling several vehicles that share platforms. For example, the Nissan Qashqai (below, right) and Renault Kadjar (below, left) are mechanically identical, as are the Nissan Navara and Renault Alaskan pick-up trucks. However, as part of the new plan, the three brands will “accelerate” their use of shared vehicle architecture and production facilities. “Groupe Renault’s global van expertise is driving synergies across the alliance to benefit all our customers,” said Carlos Ghosn, the alliance’s chairman and CEO. “The Maubeuge and Sandouville plants provided the most attractive solution thanks to their competitiveness and ability to leverage common platforms. “This year, Groupe Renault has announced a total investment in France of €1.4 billion to support two pillars of growth: pure electric and light commercial vehicles.” The Cadillac Celestiq Will Be as Rare as a Bugatti 2026 Jeep Compass Unveiled: Hybrid or EV With Up to 375 HP Nissan Abandons Plan For US-Built Electric Sedans Lotus Emira With Yellow Exhaust Tips Pays Tribute to an F1 GOAT Confirmed: Nissan Frontier Plug-In Hybrid (Update) Rob Dahm's 12-Rotor Engine Made 1,515 HP. Then It Caught on Fire Nissan Exec Suggests GT-R and Acura NSX Could Share a Platform but they will have to be willing to add two important rooms the building that has hit the market is actually a redundant substation. Described as "very affordable" on the listing, the unique property is for sale for the first time in generations. Although it fails to include a bathroom or kitchen the structure occupies 44-square-metres internally and could be transformed into an industrial-style New York City loft or studio READ MORE: Outdoor laundry pitch for granny flat fails to wash with property hunters There is also a spacious outdoor area that would make for an ideal entertainer's terrace The exterior is unassuming with its lack of windows and slightly weathered brick detail there are two small windows shown in the listing READ MORE: Historic pub in Victoria for sale but it comes without a roof or beer The median house price for Granville is $910,000, according to Domain's latest House Report. Agent David Matkovic of LJ Hooker Granville told Nine that he's expecting to sell the property in the low-to-mid $300,000's. The vendor is Endeavour Energy. He reveals that there's been "genuine interest" in the listing, but hasn't received many offers as yet.  Auto news: A new wave of plug-in hybrid utes from China is set to be challenged by a Japanese brand. The new van, which will replace the Mitsubishi Express last sold here in 2013 It will be built in France by Renault for Mitsubishi in Australia and New Zealand only Speaking to carsales.com.au at the 2019 Mitsubishi Triton launch in Bangkok today Mitsubishi COO Trevor Mann confirmed the deal with Renault to build a rebadged model specifically for Oz and NZ “Just after Mitsubishi Motors joined the Renault-Nissan alliance it was a strong request actually from the local team in Australia to have more of an LCV offering “We made the request with Renault and we signed a letter of intent and so we fully intend to do this It will be manufactured in Sandouville in France and will come to Australia as soon as we can dot the Is and cross the Ts.” Mann said the born-again Mitsubishi Express would build on the strengths of the Renault Trafic and dismissed potential consumer concerns about ‘badge engineering’ in the van market and the LCV industry is full of cross-batches because you don’t necessarily buy the van because of the badge you buy it because of the servicing you get with the dealer.” Mitsubishi’s Australian public relations manager Karl Gehling confirmed the company is aiming to have the new van in local showrooms by 2020 The Mitsubishi Express was sold in Australia from the second-generation model in 1980 was pulled from the market in 2013 due to poor crash safety results Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn accompanied by French president Emmanuel Macron (both pictured here) announced new van production for its French manufacturing facilities in both Sandouville and Maubeuge yesterday in France While the reborn Mitsubishi Express and new Renault Trafic will be made at Sandouville Maubeuge will make small vans including the next Renault Kangoo new Nissan NV250 and the replacement for the Mercedes-Benz Citan Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi aims to double annual synergies to €10 billion by accelerating collaboration on common platforms and common production facilities.