Renault Korea to roll out first EV in 2028

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Renault Korea to roll out first EV in 2028

Published: 14 Apr. 2026, 16:18 Updated: 14 Apr. 2026, 18:46

SARAH CHEA
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Renault Korea CEO Nicolas Paris speaks during a press conference in central Seoul on April 14. [YONHAP]

Renault Korea has vowed to roll out at least one new model every year through 2029, with its first pure EV slated for 2028, in a bid to sustain a nascent rebound in domestic sales.

The Korean arm of the French auto group saw its recovery begin in late 2024 with the launch of the Grand Koleos. The rebound then continued with the recent launch of the Filante, as the automaker seeks to regain footing in a market dominated by Hyundai Motor and Kia.

“In 2027, we will officially launch our first fully software-defined vehicle with [Level] 2++ autonomous technology,” said Renault Korea CEO Nicolas Paris during a press conference on Tuesday in central Seoul.

“I want people to see people proud to view Renault as the first alternative to Hyundai and Kia on the market.”

The software-defined vehicle will pair advanced autonomy with AI-driven voice interaction, enabling realtime, context-aware assistance ranging from explaining nearby landmarks to guiding drivers to parking spots.

Renault Korea also aims to shorten its development cycle to under two years to expand its lineup more quickly for Korean customers.

The plan aligns with Renault Group’s recently announced “Future Ready” strategy to roll out 36 new models by 2030, with a goal of all of the company's sales coming from EVs and hybrids.

“Korea will play a key role in the D and E segments,” Paris said, emphasizing the Busan plant’s “ability to design, develop and industrialize flagship models for the group.”

The company’s first EV, due in 2028, will be built in Busan, with exports targeted at Latin America, the Middle East and Oceania.

After years of weak sales, Renault Korea rebounded in late 2024 with the Grand Koleos SUV, which sold 40,877 units in 2025, accounting for 78.2 percent of the company's total domestic sales.

The Filante, launched in March, has sold 4,920 units in its first month.

BY SARAH CHEA [[email protected]]