01 Renault Suspends Mexican Production Plans
Renault has temporarily shelved its production plans in Mexico. The French automaker has canceled its plan to manufacture new models in the country in partnership with Nissan—a decision that signals a cooling in the relationship between the two companies and ushers in a new phase in their global alliance.
In February 2023, Renault Group announced that Nissan would produce a new model in Mexico for the French brand, marking Renault’s return to Mexican production after a 20-year absence. The project was expected to leverage its Japanese partner’s existing capacity and had generated high expectations within the industry. However, that plan has now been put on hold.
This cancellation is not an isolated event. As part of a divestment process that began in 2023, Renault has reduced its stake in Nissan from 10% to 5%. Previously, Renault had already cut its shareholding from 43.4% to 15% in 2023.
Iván Segal, Renault Group’s Global Sales and Operations Director, confirmed that the decision not to move forward with production in Mexico aligns with the company’s new global strategy. He stated that the shareholding reduction reflects structural changes that also impact regional projects.
Segal did not hide the influence of global conditions on this new strategy. In his view, “adaptability, flexibility, and foresight” are the three pillars that define Renault’s brand strategy—especially in a world where trade barriers and geopolitical shifts are changing the rules of the game.
02 Renault Actively Adjusts Strategic Direction
At present, Renault is not considering new industrial partnerships in Mexico. Segal commented: “The issue lies with Nissan, but we may look for other collaborations that are beneficial for the Group.” While the door is not completely closed, Renault is approaching this with caution.
In contrast to the suspension with Nissan, Renault has been actively forging new alliances—most notably with China’s Geely. In late 2022, the two companies signed a non-binding agreement to establish a joint venture focused on next-generation powertrains, with each side holding a 50% stake.
Jorge Portugal, Renault’s Commercial Director for the Americas, described this cooperation as a model success. He explained: “This agreement is very important because, on the one hand, it supports Geely’s expansion in Brazil, and on the other, it gives Renault access to more modern platforms in its production plants.”
He emphasized: “Even in such a complex environment, we continue learning in areas where we believe others excel. If partnerships allow us to learn faster, we will partner—because in the end, that’s better.”
Segal noted that Renault has already undergone dramatic global restructuring. Following the Russia-Ukraine war in 2021, the automaker exited its second-largest market—Russia—yet still managed to restore balance in its global operations.
Segal concluded: “We monitor every collaboration opportunity daily. If a new opportunity arises that can help us grow in Mexico or elsewhere, we will observe, analyze, and if our CEO deems it worthwhile, we will pursue it.”
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