Renault plans to reduce its global engineering workforce by 15–20% over the next two years, putting as many as 2,400 roles at risk out of roughly 11,000–12,000 engineers. The company says the adjustments will be made without forced layoffs.
Core design work and development of new technologies will remain concentrated in France, Renault added. At the same time, engineering centres in Brazil, India, Morocco, Romania, South Korea, Spain and Turkey will see reductions in engineering staff.
The move forms part of a broader restructuring announced in March by CEO François Provost, who set out a push to make Renault more competitive with Chinese automakers on innovation, cost and speed. European manufacturers are under pressure from Chinese brands, which have been aggressive in electric vehicles with lower costs and faster development cycles.
As part of the plan, Renault aims to launch 36 new models over the next five years and to shorten development timelines to about 24 months, compared with the longer cycles common in Europe. Collaboration with Renault’s R&D centre in China has already helped speed up development: the latest electric Twingo was developed in 21 months with input from Chinese engineers.
Renault said the reductions are intended to streamline operations and accelerate product cycles while preserving strategic activities in France. Further details on the locations and timing of specific cuts were not disclosed.