Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Renault revives classic models as it competes with Chinese carmakers
Renault is using designs from its history to promote new electric cars at the 2026 Paris Motor Show in France.
The approach is intended to help the French company compete as Chinese carmakers expand into markets around the world.
Its new electric Twingo recalls the model first launched in 1993 and was developed in about two years, using lessons from Renault’s development centre in China.
Renault says the car can travel nearly 250 kilometres in city driving and is priced in France at the equivalent of R$110,000.
The company says its share of the European market rose by 0.2 percentage points to 6.3% between January and September.
Renault also says its European battery-electric car sales rose about 75% so far this year compared with the same period in 2025, with the Twingo and 5 E-Tech helping drive growth.
The company says fuel-price uncertainty and the cost advantages of electric cars are contributing to stronger demand.
Renault is reviving classic models as it seeks to compete with Chinese carmakers.
The automaker displayed a new electric Twingo and concept cars inspired by historic Renault models at the 2026 Paris Motor Show.
Renault says the new Twingo was developed in about two years, drawing on lessons from the speed of Chinese carmakers.
The electric Twingo has an urban range of about 250 km and a price equivalent to R$110,000 in France.
Renault said its European market share rose by 0.2 percentage points to 6.3% from January to September.
- Who
- Renault, the French automaker.
- What
- Renault is reviving classic models, including the Twingo, as it competes with Chinese carmakers.
- When
- At the 2026 Paris Motor Show; Renault cited market-share figures for January to September.
- Where
- Paris, France, and the wider European market.
- Why
- Renault says its history and emotional connection with customers can help it compete, while it is also applying lessons from Chinese development speed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Renault 8 Gordini was originally launched.
The first-generation Renault Twingo reached the market.
Renault developed the new Twingo, compared with about four years for a similar project previously.
Renault displayed the new Twingo and historic-model-inspired concepts at the Paris Motor Show.
- European market share
- 6.3% after a 0.2 percentage-point rise from January to September
- New Twingo urban range
- Close to 250 km under the European standard
- New Twingo price in France
- Equivalent to R$110,000
- Renault development centre in China
- 150 employees
- Additional investment in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil
- R$2 billion
What people are saying
We use the past only as a foundation to prepare for the future.
Many consumers remember their first car, family trips or important moments in their lives. This emotional connection is a differentiator we can use.
We have an invasion of Chinese brands, which are arriving all over the world. The first thing we did was look for our own solutions to be competitive.
When customers compare the cost of using a combustion car with that of an electric vehicle, in many cases they conclude that the electric one is more advantageous.
Sources
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