Renault has embarked on a major reset that prioritizes profits over its previous mobility aspirations. The company also said it will shut down its car-sharing operations and curb the growth of its fast-charging network. The shift is also a signal that there are cost pressures and that money needs to be directed towards better returns.
Shift in Mobility Strategy Reflects New Financial Priorities
The decision marks a clear shift at Mobilize, the unit formed to develop new transport solutions. Mobilize once aimed to build services beyond the traditional sale of cars. This included car-sharing, charging systems, and data-based services. These plans will now be narrowed as Renault seeks greater control of spending.
A spokesperson confirmed that about 80 roles will be cut at Mobilize Beyond Automotive. The company will use voluntary exits where possible. Internal moves will also be offered to limit job losses.
Renault said in a statement that activities with weak future prospects will be closed. The Zity car-sharing schemes in Milan and Madrid will end. Development of the small electric Duo will also stop. These steps form part of a larger restructure designed to improve the group’s financial position.
Mobilize was created in 2021 under former CEO Luca de Meo. It hoped to address changing travel habits in cities. Yet tough market conditions and rising costs have forced a rethink. New CEO François Provost ordered a review soon after taking office in July. The results pushed the company toward fewer but stronger investments.
EV Charging Network Targets Fall Sharply
One of the most visible changes concerns fast-charging stations. These stations required high capital outlays, and the company said it must now protect its resources. Jérôme Faton, head of Energy at Mobilize, told Reuters, “We are in a context of adjusting Renault’s capital allocation. The auto industry is in a difficult environment, and we have many investments to finance.”
Furthermore, the group will now aim for 100 stations in France and more than 100 in Italy by 2026. This is far below the earlier goal of 650 stations across Europe by 2028. Planned projects in Belgium and Spain will not go ahead. The company believes the scaled plan better fits current conditions.
Renault will also reintegrate its energy and data services into the main company structure. This move is intended to cut duplication and allow closer oversight of spending. It also brings several functions back under direct management of the group, rather than keeping them in a separate unit.
The slower growth of the charging network could affect future mobility plans. Yet the company argues that a smaller and better-controlled network will support its broader strategy. It says that targeted investments match the tougher climate facing the auto industry.
The new plan also aligns with Renault’s goal of balancing the cost of its transition to electric vehicles. EV programs require heavy investment and long development cycles. The group said it must make careful choices as demand for electric models grows at different rates across Europe.
Mobilize Limo Ends After Weak Sales
Renault has also ended the Mobilize Limo, the first model designed for taxi and ride-hire fleets. The Limo was meant to serve operators who needed an electric sedan for daily use. Yet sales fell far short of expectations. Renault Group reported only 67 units sold in 2022 and just 7 in 2023.
Reports from France indicated that taxi operators found the car either too costly or too basic. The model carried a single electric motor and offered up to 450 km on a charge. But these features did not win enough buyers, and Renault has removed the model from all markets.
The end of the Limo reflects Renault’s wider shift toward stronger financial control. The company has stated that projects that do not support its main priorities will be dropped. This approach aims to reduce uncertainty and protect the group’s resources during a challenging period.
The closure of the car-sharing programs and the end of the Limo underline this new thinking. Renault is moving away from experimental mobility ventures. The company now seeks to focus on areas with clearer demand and firmer returns. This forms the central angle of the shift announced.
