The first product from Renault-Jiangling, Renault’s electric-vehicle joint venture with Jiangling Group Electric Vehicle, went on sale in China this week, aiming to give the French automaker a firmer footing in a market where it has struggled for traction.
The Renault Limo, a full electric compact sedan, has a starting price of 139,800 yuan ($21,607) after government subsidies, according to Jiangling.
It is 4,675 mm long, 1,835 mm wide and 1,480 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm.
The vehicle offers two range options – 450 kilometers (279 miles) and 500 km – based on the battery.
The China-built EV will also be exported to Europe, where it will be used by Renault’s mobility service unit Mobilize for ride hailing.
Renault-Jiangling was established in 2019 to build and market EVs for the Renault and Jiangling brands.
In addition to the Renault Limo, the company sells two Jingling-badged EV models – the EX5 compact crossover and the EV3 subcompact crossover.
Renault-Jiangling is one of two vehicle production JVs that Renault operates in China after it shuttered a troubled partnership with Dongfeng Motor Group last year that assembled gasoline-powered vehicles.
The other joint venture the French automaker runs in China is Renault Brilliance Jinbei, a light commercial partnership with Brilliance China Automotive.
Renault Brilliance Jinbei currently assembles light buses for Brilliance China’s Jinbei and Huasong brands.
In August, Renault said it was looking to revive business in China by forming a hybrid vehicle JV with Geely Holding Group.
The two companies signed a framework agreement to set up the JV, which would make and sell Renault-branded gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles in China. The vehicles would use Geely technology, supplier and plants while Renault would handle sales and marketing.
