Gulf Construction Online - Renault Trucks gears up to resume production

Trucks

A Renault Trucks production facility in France.

Renault Trucks gears up to resume production

01 May 2020

Renault Trucks is now preparing for a slow, gradual and safe resumption of activity in its production sites in France – where machines have been at a standstill since March 18, 2020 - while taking the necessary precautions against the coronavirus to protect the health and safety of its employees.

These measures include disinfection of machinery, workstations and work tools, the wearing of masks, gloves and overalls, social distancing rules, keeping doors open (except fire doors) to prevent contact with handles, organised movement in shared areas and introducing a special seating plan in transport shuttles to guarantee space between passengers.

Factories in France were due to be restarted gradually, from April 22, starting with the Lyon-Venissieux Engine Plant. Other Renault Trucks production sites, such as Bourg-en-Bresse and Blainville-sur-Orne assembly plants, should gradually resume their activity in the following weeks. “The restart of industrial activity is planned, for all plants, at a very low level. Ramp up will be slow and be spread over several weeks, in line with customer demands, the ability of suppliers to deliver the required provisions, and in synchronisation with the other Volvo Group plants,” says a spokesman for Renault Trucks.

Since the start of the lockdown and despite the temporary interruption in production, Renault Trucks has carried on serving its customers, as far as reasonably possible, by continuing in particular to supply spare parts and repair trucks which are essential to ensure the continuity of vital services to society, he adds.

Meanwhile, with 54,098 vehicles invoiced, Renault Trucks maintained its position in a contrasted market in 2019, consisting of a very dynamic first half and a less buoyant second half. These include 4,933 units for international markets outside Europe, representing a 10 per cent increase over the previous year’s figures.

In terms of tonnage, 35,950 vehicles were in the heavy and mid-ranges, while light commercial vehicles accounted for 18,148 units.

In particular, the French manufacturer achieved a historic performance in the over 16-tonne segment in Turkey, with market share up three points to 8.8 per cent. Renault Trucks also strengthened its position in Algeria with 26 per cent market share (over 16 tonnes). Manufacture of Renault Trucks C and K started in 2019 at its assembly plant in the Algerian town of Meftah, producing 850 trucks. In 2020, D-range vehicles will also be assembled in the factory.

2019 marked the launch of Renault Trucks electric trucks. The French manufacturer offers a comprehensive 100 per cent electric range from 3.1 to 26 tonnes, claimed to be the widest on the market.

Over the next four years, Renault Trucks is set to invest an additional €150 million ($162.8 million) in electric mobility. The manufacturer predicts that electric vehicles will represent 10 per cent of its sales volume by 2025.