As reported by Periodismo del Motor, the French automaker’s manufacturing plant in Valladolid, Spain was the victim of multiple parts thefts spanning a time frame of more than a year, costing the company hundreds of thousands of euros. The actual operation was supposedly an inside job, being carried out like something out of a heist movie.
According to the publication, one of the Valladolid delivery drivers was in collusion with a representative from another transport company, and with the help of another Renault employee, the parts were able to be snuck out of the factory without raising any eyebrows.
The investigation was set in motion after Arcese España, the aforementioned transport company, as well as Renault’s Head of Security, voiced complaints about potential theft of parts destined for the Valladolid factory. As it turned out, after checking the security footage, video evidence of the parts being stolen was found. All three suspects have since been arrested, as well as three more detainees from the factory, but the investigation is being left open and further arrests are not off the table.
Arcese reported the theft of three containers filled with catalysts, which were set to be received by the Valladolid plant but had mysteriously gone missing. Upon further investigation, Renault discovered the theft of two pallets worth of injectors, which were supposedly stolen in 2021 but were never discovered due to faulty security cameras. It’s estimated that as a result of these heists, Renault lost €589,762 ($627,890), with €69,174 ($73,646) of that coming from the theft reported by Arcese.
It is unclear whether the losses reported by both companies represent just the cost of the raw parts themselves, or rather that cost plus the losses brought about by resulting manufacturing delays, however the latter is believed to be the case.
Source: Periodismo del Motor
