Automakers Geely and Renault have opened a joint enterprise named Renault-Samsung in Busan, South Korea, to produce brand new ICE cars and hybrids. Moving forward, Renault will be trying to return to the market of China and Geely will attempt to enter North America.
The official statement does not mention any particulars about the cars, except that they will all be based on the unitized CMA architecture co-designed between Geely and Volvo. The Chinese automaker will provide engines and drivetrains, while Renault will handle industrial capacities, designs, R&D and sales. The assembly lines will only start in 2024, however.
Renault plans to improve the standing of the Renault-Samsung JC in Korea by revitalizing its product range with new vehicles. In turn, Geely plans to conquer the markets of Korea and the USA, which have a duty-free trade agreement going. The French marque left China a few years ago with the shutdown of the Renault-Dongfeng enterprise and now considers re-entering the biggest market again.
It is also possible that the Lynk&Co 01 SUV (see the gallery and the video) will also be produced in South Korea, albeit under a different name and branding.