An international network may have obtained data about Renault's electric car programme, but its vital technology secrets are safe and production of the vehicles will not be held up, the French carmaker said on Saturday. Three Renault executives, including one member of its management committee, were suspended on Monday over the leaking of data, which prompted the government to warn of a widespread risk to French industry.
"This is the work of professionals," Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata said in an interview with Le Monde newspaper's weekend edition. "Renault is the victim of an organised international network." The executives are suspected of leaking information related to the high-profile electric vehicle programme, a key plank of the carmaker's strategy in which it is investing billions of euros together with Japanese partner Nissan.
Pelata said information may have been leaked regarding the costs and economic model of the programme, but not the "golden nuggets" of its technology, including some 200 patents that are being lodged. "It's serious, but not as bad as if it had been the technology," he said. "Whether it's the chemistry of the electrodes, the structure of the batteries, the different elements of assembling, be it the charger or the engine itself, we feel ok." He added that the electric programme was on schedule: "We have not lost one day to launch our four electric cars.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.