Following the joint venture formed in late 2013, DRAC (Dongfeng Renault Automotive Company) has opened its first plant in China.
The facility, which was built in two years using a multi cultural team from the French brand’s partners at Dongfeng and Nissan, is located in Wihan, in Hubei Province, and achieved ISO 9001 certification for quality in November 2015.
Present at the opening event, along with Dongfeng’s Chairman, Zhu Yanfeng, Groupe Renault’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Carlos Ghosn, said: “This is a milestone in our long-term partnership with Dongfeng Group, as well as for Renault’s growth. China is a core part of Renault’s strategic plan.”
DRAC’s new facility includes a vehicle assembly plant, a powertrain plant and a Research & Development center, to adapt products to customers’ requirements. It will have an initial production capacity of 150,000 cars per year, but it has the potential to double.
The first vehicle to be manufactured at the Wihan facility is the Renault Kadjar, which is slightly different from its European counterpart, equipped with 4Control, independent rear suspension and a panoramic sunroof.
The SUV category is the fastest growing segment on the Chinese market and accounts for 30 percent of sales, so the Kadjar will become an important player for the joint venture, locally. The model will go on sale in China in March, 2016.
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