Renault Group is a strong player in light commercial vehicles. The Volvo Group (not to be mistaken for Volvo Cars) is at home in the truck market. They have joined forces to establish an independent joint venture to develop a new generation of electric vans and related services. The venture's primary focus is on enhancing the vehicles' smart capabilities. The joint project has been agreed upon, but it still needs government approvals.
The joint venture will be headquartered in France. It is expected to begin operations in early 2024. It will initially be owned 50 percent each by the Renault Group and the Volvo Group. Both groups have agreed to invest 300 million euros each over the next three years in the new company, which will operate under its own name. At a later stage, the French logistics company CMA CGM is expected to join as a third partner, investing €120 million. The search for further investment and business partners is ongoing.
The electric vans with varying bodies will be constructed using an 800-volt software-based platform with multiple battery sizes. It has been described as "an entirely new family of all-electric and software-defined vehicles". The Skateboard platform offers cost-effective and highly modular options for different body types, accompanied by a significant advancement in safety standards.
The goal, according to the announcements, is a new level of connectivity so that vehicles will have "unprecedented capabilities to monitor delivery activity and user business performance, reducing global operating costs for logistics companies by 30%." The connected services are designed to provide customers with "lifetime up-to-date vehicles."
Sources: Volvo Group, Renault Group
