More than 30 years after leaving North America, Renault is considering a return in small steps. First it wants to enter the Canadian market with its electric vehicles, according to a report from Montreal-based newspaper La Presse.
The first model to be introduced in Canada is the two-seat Twizy (pictured), which should be followed by the Kangoo ZE panel van. “We’ve had very good discussions with the Québec and Canadian governments about how we can contribute to the evolution of the EV market,” Vincent Carré, electric cars sales and marketing director at Renault Group told La Presse.
“We are ready to do it on condition that derogations are made. It’s a short-term move, it’s easy to do. The second step will obviously depend on the market’s evolution. But our will is there,” the executive added.
Renault is said to have asked the Canadian and Québec governments for permission to bring the Twizy and Kangoo ZE to Canada since April. In order for these cars to be sold in Canada, Renault must be granted a derogation from the North American safety and environmental standards, which the vehicles don’t meet. According to Canadian laws, this derogation can be granted for a period of up to two years for a maximum of 1,000 vehicles of the same model.
Carré said Renault’s intention is to first test the market and contribute to the development of the electric car in Canada. If the local EV market picks up, Renault would be very interested to sell cars there in high numbers, meaning it will adapt its future vehicles to Canadian and US norms.
The executive also hinted at a full return for Renault to North America. “If we bring the electric Kangoo and get the derogation from the government, it’s obviously to do other things as well,” Carré said.
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