French automaker Renault Group intends to reintegrate its electric vehicle (EV) division Ampere back into the main company, reversing a 2023 spin-off strategy that failed to achieve its intended public listing.
The move comes under new chief executive François Provost, who has been reviewing the strategic decisions of his predecessor Luca de Meo since taking the helm in 2025.
Ampere was established as an independent company in November 2023, focusing on electric cars and software-defined vehicles with around 11000 staff, approximately 35% of whom were engineers. The division took control of Renault’s ElectriCity manufacturing cluster in northern France, including car factories in Douai and Maubeuge, the component plant in Ruitz, and the Cléon component facility.
The spin-off was designed as a stepping stone to a public listing, with de Meo bringing alliance partners Nissan and Mitsubishi on board as potential investors. However, the planned initial public offering was postponed in January 2024 and has not been rescheduled.
Strategic partnerships unravel
The IPO delays coincided with the gradual withdrawal of key partners. In March 2025, Nissan was released from its obligation to invest €600 million (AUD$975 million) in Ampere. Two months later, Mitsubishi’s €200 million (AUD$325 million) investment agreement was also terminated.
These developments left Ampere as a wholly-owned Renault entity, potentially paving the way for the current reintegration decision.
According to Reuters, citing two industry insiders, the reintegration is expected to simplify operations, reduce costs, and accelerate future project implementation.
“As there is no longer an IPO, there is no longer a need for a specific entity, which is why Renault is reintegrating everything in order to simplify and eliminate the complexity inherent in the initial model,” one insider told the news agency.
Operational restructure ahead
Under the new structure, Ampere will operate as a pure development centre for the group’s electric vehicles and software, while the manufacturing facilities previously under Ampere’s control will become direct subsidiaries of Renault Group.
The division had been responsible for production of electric models including the Renault 4 and Renault 5, which continued to be marketed under the Renault brand. Ampere also established a software centre near Nice as part of its original mandate.
This marks the second major reversal of de Meo’s strategic decisions by Provost. In December 2025, the new CEO halted Mobilize’s car-sharing business and reintegrated the previously independent unit back into the group structure.
The restructuring reflects broader challenges facing automotive companies as they navigate the transition to electrification while managing complex corporate structures and market pressures.
Join the conversation