According to Chinese media, Renault is entering a new stage of collaboration with Geely by having its Shanghai R&D team look into using the Chinese carmaker’s new GEA platform to develop new EVs and PHEVs for ’emerging overseas markets’. That’s merely South Korea, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and North Africa.

The news wasn’t officially confirmed yet, but the Chinese media say, “We know exclusively that Renault has started to develop new energy vehicles (NEVs) based on Geely’s GEA platform, which will include pure electric and plug-in hybrids.”

“This car is an SUV model, with the body part being a Renault independent development, while the vehicle architecture, chassis, etc. will greatly follow the Geely Galaxy brand, which has completed the products, to reduce costs and shorten the research and development cycle.”

Step further beyond the CMA platform

So far, the collaboration between French and Chinese carmakers has primarily centered on Geely’s CMA platform for shared vehicle architecture. The Renault Grand Koleos, for instance, is a redesigned version of a midsize SUV based on the Geely Xingyue L, produced by Renault Korea in Busan.

In 2023, Renault and Geely formed a 50/50 joint venture to develop and supply hybrid and fuel-efficient ICE powertrains globally. This venture encompasses 17 engine plants and 5 R&D centers, aiming to produce up to 5 million powertrain units annually.

This initiative later evolved into the Horse Powertrain joint venture (established May 2024), which consolidates Renault’s and Geely’s powertrain operations, including hybrid systems.

In February 2025, Renault and Geely entered into a strategic agreement in Brazil to co-produce zero- and low-emission vehicles at Renault’s São José dos Pinhais complex.

First Renault R&D center in China

Renault opened its first EV-focused R&D center in China, known as the Advanced China Development Center (ACDC), in Shanghai earlier this year. It currently employs around 150 staff. The ACDC reports directly to Renault’s headquarters in France, rather than Renault China.

This marked the first time Renault has brought research and development of global models and EVs for Europe to China, representing a new way of cooperation.

With ACDC, Renault expects to cut the vehicle development cycle by more than half. It used to take at least 3 to 4 years; now it takes only 16 to 21 months. A key project was the Twingo E-Tech EV for Europe, priced under €20,000, which was set to be launched in 2026. Production of the Twingo E-Tech is set to commence in 2026 at Renault’s Revoz plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.

Renault China Chairman and CEO Su Weiming recently told Chinese media that through ACDC, Renault is developing the Twingo E-Tech and Dacia’s next-generation electric vehicle, with a cost reduction of about 40%.

Developing several models

Now, word is out that ACDC is developing several models simultaneously, including pure electric models that share the Renault AmpR Small platform with the Twingo E-Tech, as well as one produced in collaboration with Geely.

Renault’s AmpR platform is mainly for small-sized electric vehicles. The GEA platform is one of Geely’s core resources and is currently primarily used to develop new cars under the Geely Galaxy brand.

A standout feature of GEA is the AI digital chassis, which uses advanced suspension, electric drive control, and AI algorithms to reach precise vehicle dynamics, even enabling autonomous drifting. It reacts within just 4 milliseconds, approximately 25 times faster than the average human reflex.

All kinds of powertrains

Designed for versatility, GEA supports pure electric, hybrid, range-extender, and even powered by ‘green methanol’, making it adaptable across global energy strategies. It’s applicable across a wide range of vehicle sizes—from compact sedans to full-size SUVs—ensuring broad market coverage.

New SUVs developed with Geely will not be sold in the Chinese market, and even the most important overseas markets are not necessarily Europe, a Renault China source told local media.

“Renault’s focus in the European market is small electric vehicles, and the new car with Geely will be aimed at Renault’s other core markets, such as South Korea, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, North Africa, and other markets.”